Cinema Lounge is happening Tuesday January 29, February 26, and March 25, 2008. What is Cinema Lounge you ask? Well, for the last six months I've been involved in planning a film event like no other in San Diego. I've been collaborating with Sushi Performing Arts and Citizen Video to create Cinema Lounge, an event at Basic Urban Bar and Kitchen in downtown San Diego, that will feature film, art, and music. Each months events will be different. This month it's shorts from the Hi/Lo film festival and local filmmakers talking about their work. Next month it's Mumblecore, and we are flying-in Andrew Bujalski the director of indie films Funny Ha Ha and Mutual Appreciation. Kate Dollenmayer, the actress from Funny Ha Ha will also be present. In March it's La Haine, a film about three teenagers in an urban suburb of Paris that has recently been the site of a riot. The film explores racism, poverty, and violence. We thought it was an apt subject for San Diego. If you want to read more about the event you can download the press release here. Local bands Kill Me Tomorrow, and The Muslims will also be playing the event.
Cinema Lounge has really been a grassroots effort. It started with Jeremy Gaucher (formerly of Sushi) and Holly Jones of Citizen Video. I walked into the middle of it because I read an article in the NYT about Mumblecore, and it excited me so much I thought we had to do something to let SD filmmakers know about the Mummblecore movement. I started talking to Holly, and I approached the UCSD Media Center and the UCSD Library about getting Andrew Bujalski to come out, and here we are six months later. He'll be here in February speaking at UCSD during the day, and at Cinema Lounge in the evening. Here's that NYT article if you want to know more.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Art in San Diego
I have to get this off my chest: I've been lazy about this blog. I'm sorry! I suffer from a never ending sense of guilt when I fail to get things art related done. I have Kansas City Art Institute to thank for that ting of neurosis.
Moving on. I went to Ray at Night last night, and had a blast. Not so much because of the art, but because there were a lot of people there who were interested in seeing, and I'm assuming supporting art in San Diego.
The Rubber Rose had some interesting paintings by Eric Wixon in their gallery, and I've got to say I'm really feeling The Rubber Rose these days. They are making quite a splash with their little sex-store. That's right it's a "sensuality boutique". What's more important though, is that they support a "healthy and joyous exploration of sex and sexuality..." and that's awesome, not to mention brave in this community.
I've got to give Ray at Night some props, I've heard some negative stuff about the quality of the work exhibited, but I think that's uncalled for. Whatever the quality of the work, would we prefer no work be exhibited? I don't think so. It's a nice little scene, a good place to people watch, and enjoy enjoying art. Remember that feeling, way back when, when you enjoyed art? I'm trying to bring that back, like Justin brought sexy back. Thank You!
North Park was bumping last night. It felt a bit like the West Bottoms in Kansas City. That's an area of Kansas City that was the epitome of urban blight, but was reborn as artists moved into the neighborhood and opened galleries. Of course, real estate in Kansas City is relatively inexpensive compared to San Diego, and that is the single biggest factor in the struggle for a thriving art community in San Diego. It's about the cost of living, and the cost of owning property. If I had money, I'd be investing in the City Heights area of San Diego and starting a gallery. I think City Heights is next on the gentrification list, hopefully when it happens, and it will, City Heights will retain its flavor.
That's all for now... Next: Film Comes to SD, grassroots style.
Moving on. I went to Ray at Night last night, and had a blast. Not so much because of the art, but because there were a lot of people there who were interested in seeing, and I'm assuming supporting art in San Diego.
The Rubber Rose had some interesting paintings by Eric Wixon in their gallery, and I've got to say I'm really feeling The Rubber Rose these days. They are making quite a splash with their little sex-store. That's right it's a "sensuality boutique". What's more important though, is that they support a "healthy and joyous exploration of sex and sexuality..." and that's awesome, not to mention brave in this community.
I've got to give Ray at Night some props, I've heard some negative stuff about the quality of the work exhibited, but I think that's uncalled for. Whatever the quality of the work, would we prefer no work be exhibited? I don't think so. It's a nice little scene, a good place to people watch, and enjoy enjoying art. Remember that feeling, way back when, when you enjoyed art? I'm trying to bring that back, like Justin brought sexy back. Thank You!
North Park was bumping last night. It felt a bit like the West Bottoms in Kansas City. That's an area of Kansas City that was the epitome of urban blight, but was reborn as artists moved into the neighborhood and opened galleries. Of course, real estate in Kansas City is relatively inexpensive compared to San Diego, and that is the single biggest factor in the struggle for a thriving art community in San Diego. It's about the cost of living, and the cost of owning property. If I had money, I'd be investing in the City Heights area of San Diego and starting a gallery. I think City Heights is next on the gentrification list, hopefully when it happens, and it will, City Heights will retain its flavor.
That's all for now... Next: Film Comes to SD, grassroots style.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Best and Worst of 2007
Cathy De La Cruz convinced me to do a best and worst of 2007 blog, so here goes, my personal best and worst.
The Best of 2007:
Best people:
For one long phone call in October where he listened to me cry for about three hours, and for being constant comic relief, the award goes to Michael Trigilio. Thanks Michael! The Complaint Project really prepared you well for consoling sobbing friends.
For listening to me while I figure out what the hell I'm doing, the award goes to my fellow Sagittarius Cathy De La Cruz. Thanks Cathy. We'll make it through this together.
For being generally REALLY cool, and for telling me the truth: Ramlah, Anita, Nick, Jim, Adriene, Adrian, Marie, Kevin, Brian and Kelly, Randall, Felipe, Deanna, and Steven. Thanks guys my year would have sucked without you! (And Zach and Donna.)
Cinema Lounge, folks deserve awards for making it a reality: Thanks Holly and Lynn.
Best Band of 2007: The Red Feathers, not only do they sound good, they are really nice guys. Nice, goes a long way in my book.
The Best and Worst of 2007:
This special Best&Worst award goes to the month of July! July was full of surprises! July shares this award with the Whistle Stop and my friend Whiskey which contributed significantly to achievements of July.
The Worst of 2007:
The Party Crashers! Machismo! Illness! And Jerks! Congratulations, you do what you do very well. May the forces of good always defeat your sorry assess.
San Diego was good to me in 2007. Thanks San Diego!
The Best of 2007:
Best people:
For one long phone call in October where he listened to me cry for about three hours, and for being constant comic relief, the award goes to Michael Trigilio. Thanks Michael! The Complaint Project really prepared you well for consoling sobbing friends.
For listening to me while I figure out what the hell I'm doing, the award goes to my fellow Sagittarius Cathy De La Cruz. Thanks Cathy. We'll make it through this together.
For being generally REALLY cool, and for telling me the truth: Ramlah, Anita, Nick, Jim, Adriene, Adrian, Marie, Kevin, Brian and Kelly, Randall, Felipe, Deanna, and Steven. Thanks guys my year would have sucked without you! (And Zach and Donna.)
Cinema Lounge, folks deserve awards for making it a reality: Thanks Holly and Lynn.
Best Band of 2007: The Red Feathers, not only do they sound good, they are really nice guys. Nice, goes a long way in my book.
The Best and Worst of 2007:
This special Best&Worst award goes to the month of July! July was full of surprises! July shares this award with the Whistle Stop and my friend Whiskey which contributed significantly to achievements of July.
The Worst of 2007:
The Party Crashers! Machismo! Illness! And Jerks! Congratulations, you do what you do very well. May the forces of good always defeat your sorry assess.
San Diego was good to me in 2007. Thanks San Diego!
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