Culture Lust Weekend: Ocean Beach Music Fest, SD Music Awards, And Toy Pianos

EVENTS

While we’re still not quite over the fact that Street Scene was a no-show this summer, we have high hopes for The Jazz 88 Ocean Beach Music & Art Festival. Twenty-six bands and 60 artists cover seven different stages along Newport Avenue this Saturday. Craft beer will be in abundance, as will local art and food. We’re extra excited to see Maceo Parker (veteran of James Brown’s band) add some old-school funk to the festival lineup.

This Saturday, TEQUILA! should be your drink – and event – of choice. Mingei International is presenting a lecture and tasting, provided by Old Town’s own El Agave and served alongside Mingei International’s current mini-exhibition of tequila bottles.

THEATER

While Norman continues to romp through the living room, garden and dining room of the Cygnet’s main stage, the Playwright Companion Series is showing off another of Alan Ayckbourn's comedies - "Relatively Speaking" – this Monday. For one night only, see a staged reading of the play that made Ayckbourn famous.

The San Diego Shakespeare Society is “raising the Bard” this month during A Spectacular September of Shakespeare. Saturday there is a lecture on Shakespearean Sound Effects, Sunday is British Music and Shakespeare at the Organ Pavilion and later this month is the traditional (and hilarious) 10 plays in 10 hours.

FILM

If you love short stories, it's time to explore cinema's equivalent - the short film. Head over to MCASD tonight for their eighth annual alt.pictureshow. The unique festival features over 20 films that promise to engage, challenge and amuse viewers.

ART

What do blown-glass, rubber and rock sugar have in common? Timothy Horn. Inspired by everything from baroque/rococo decorative arts to seaweed and lichen, Horn is the new Lux resident artist and he'll be in the studio all this month. Culture Lust has an in-depth look at his artistic practice coming early next week so come back and visit.

Inspired by questions like “who are we as independent humans in this modern world” Andy Haynes has created “Quiet Homes Await an Indian Summer.” In his artwork, Haynes reflects on how Americans are “in the adolescent stages of a developing nation.” His work will be on display at Distinction Gallery this month (the opening is Saturday) and Haynes will be giving a demonstration on portrait painting and pallet mixing this Sunday.

Combining art, design and urban living, Kettner Nights is a monthly neighborhood celebration of both furniture and fine art. Tomorrow night, the hours have been extended and new work will be on display (work by local San Diego photographers David Harrison, Monica Hoover, Anthony Levas, Frank Rogozienski and Lisa Smith will be on view at mixture’s 8,500 square foot showroom).

In an artistic examination of the tension between nature and industry, Nicolas Gadbois created a body of work he calls "Industrial." With roadside spectacles as subjects (the usually overlooked road signs and power polls) and cement and power tools as materials, Gadbois has managed to mix innovation with industry. The Mesa College Art Gallery is exhibiting his work all month with an opening lecture and reception tonight.

MUSIC

It's that time again. The 20th Annual San Diego Music Awards is this Sunday at Humphrey's By the Bay. The ceremony, presented by the San Diego Music Foundation, will include live performances by The Night Marchers, Maren Parusel, Transfer, The Nervous Wreckords, New Mexico, Jimmy Powers and the lately buzzed-about Miss Erika Davies. Of course, there are also awards given to some of the best and brightest in our music scene.

It’s a busy week down at Dizzy’s starting this Friday with a tribute to drum legend Art Blakey and ending next Thursday with an evening of jazz-infused Mexican music. Don’t miss out on their midweek show, as three San Diego favorites (Tommy Gannon, Lori Bell and Bob Magnusson) celebrate and pay tribute to Bill Evans.

They hail from Lubbock, Texas but the Thrift Store Cowboys have, as LA Weekly said, “a beautiful rootsey, even surfey sound.” They’re playing this Friday at the Tin Can Ale House and are gearing up to release their fourth album "Light-Fighter" later this month.

For some free fun this Sunday or Monday, head over to UCSD for the 10th annual Toy Piano Festival hosted by showman extraordinaire, Scott Paulson. Gather around, sit on the floor and appreciate a whole different breed of piano music at the Geisel Library.