The to-do list
Nicholas Kristof talks about oppression of women, University Art Gallery explores violence against women, singer Yasmin Levy is an Israeli woman—plus other non-gender-specific events
Lectures
What women need: New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof knows women. More specifically, he knows the kind of women in faraway places who’ve toiled in sweatshops and have been victimized amid disease, poverty and, yes, even childbirth in shamefully large numbers. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, in Ballroom West at UCSD’s Price Center, the crusading, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist will talk about his travels to Asia and Africa and about women in third-world nations who have risen above misery. He’ll also sign copies of Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, his best-selling book published this year that raised awareness of devastating global humanitarian crises and called for action. Free. No reservations required.
Art
Stray from the path: The University Art Gallery at UCSD (west end of Mandeville Center) will open its new season with an important statement. Premiering in the U.S. in San Diego County, Off the Beaten Path: Violence, Women and Art is a traveling show featuring a group of international artists that probes issues surrounding gender-based violence. Opening Friday, Oct. 23 and continuing through Dec. 12, the exhibit showcases 21 artists and organizations from 19 countries, including Yoko Inoue, Miri Nishri and Joyce C. Scott, and delves into how violence against women impacts individuals, families, communities, culture and politics. universityartgallery.ucsd.edu.
Dead man’s party: We’ve already seen Anjela Piccard’s great new show at Planet Rooth Studios (3811 Ray St., North Park), wherein she explores themes associated with the Dia de los Muertos holiday. But anyone who’s been to the parties Rooth throws knows they’re the prefect opportunity to see the art and cut loose a bit. So, put on your best skeleton costume for Muerto: A Petite Soirée, which goes down at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Complementing the deathly art will be an unplugged performance by Mexican singer-songwriter Tania. Free, but an RSVP is recommended: 619-397-9663 or anjela@planetrooth.com.
Larger than life: Judith Baca’s 25-foot mural, “La Memoria de Nuestra Tierra: Colorado 2000,” is a teensy thing compared to the work for which Baca is best known: “The Great Wall of Los Angeles,” among the largest murals in the world at 2,754 feet. Still, a 25-foot mural’s nothing to sneeze at. It’s part of Judith F. Baca: Public Art / Private Works, a collection of paintings and drawings by the esteemed Chicana artist currently on display in Mesa College’s art gallery, located on the west side of the campus (7250 Mesa College Drive). The gallery will hold a reception for Baca from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, followed by a talk by Baca at 7 p.m. The entire exhibit will be on display through Nov. 12. www.sdmesa.edu/art-gallery or 619-388-2829.
Dance
Shock waves: If California’s Independent System Operator were really smart, it would find a way to harness the energy generated at Culture Shock San Diego’s 10th Anniversary Choreographer’s Showcase. It’ll probably be enough to power North County for the next sixth months. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido (340 N. Escondido Blvd.), Culture Shock crews from San Diego (of course), Canada, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Oakland and Washington, D.C., as well as other hip-hop crews from New Zealand, Switzerland and Germany will dance the night away. $20 presale, $25 at the door. Then, at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, a Youth Showcase (also at the Center for the Arts) will feature up-and-coming crews from San Diego, L.A., Vegas, Atlanta, D.C. and Canada. $15 presale, $18 at the door. www.cultureshockdance.org.
Special Events
Greener than thou: We’d love to go back in time, all slow-mo like, and pinpoint the exact moment when being environmentally aware ceased to be a hippie thing. Regardless of how it happened, it’s a trend we applaud. That’s why we’re recommending the Kick Gas Festival, which, this year, brings the enigmatic Matisyahu and utterly adorable Matt and Kim to Qualcomm stadium. The West Coast’s “largest eco party” happens from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, and includes more than 20 bands and DJs, an EV car show, educational booths where you can learn how to get greener without spending a ton of money, surf and skate demos and a farmers market. Trolley rides to the event are half-price and, once you get there, tickets are $15 ($10 if you buy them online). www.kickgasfestival.com.
Books
Suspense-free event: You’d think the Halloween season would be a prime time for Dean Koontz to release his newest suspense thriller, but not this time. The best-selling author is also a huge dog lover, evident in his new tome, A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog, his first-ever nonfiction book that chronicles the love shared between Koontz, his wife Gerda and Trixie, their golden retriever. The family got Trixie from Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit organization that trains dogs to assist people with disabilities, and Koontz, who’s made significant monetary donations to CCI, will be signing his new book at CCI’s Oceanside campus (124 Rancho del Oro Drive) at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. All sales proceeds will be handed over directly to CCI. www.cci.org.
Music
Stayin’ alive: If you’re the sort who’s impressed by a strong set of female pipes, forget about Beyonce and Taylor Swift—Israeli singer Yasmin Levy is here to blow your mind. Not only does Levy sing in French, Hebrew, Spanish and Arabic, but she specializes in an ancient language called Ladino, which was spoken by Jews who fled Spain in the late 15th century. As these immigrants spread across Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa, their culture informed the traditional songs Levy performs today. Spurred by a desire to keep Ladino alive, Levy has been praised by critics around the globe, and she’ll appear at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at The Loft @ UCSD (in the Price Center) as part of her first U.S. tour. $26. www.artpower.ucsd.edu.
