Culture Lust Weekend: Thursday Night Thing, Mary Pickford and Joyce Carol Oates

Today brings great joy to San Diego hipsters, scenesters, and art lovers as Thursday Night Thing returns to the downtown location of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

There will be music and art-making, but the art-observing will focus on the first major museum survey of artist Tara Donovan's work. Her large-scale sculptures made of everyday materials such as Styrofoam cups (pictured above), toothpicks, paper plates and pins, are wondrous.

There will be live music by Money Mark and Birds and Batteries. Also, balloon artist Addi Somekh will perform on his balloon base.

Don't miss Encinitas' first silent film festival honoring Mary Pickford. Pickford, who lived for some time in North County, is one of the pillars of silent film. She wrote, directed, produced and starred in over 200 films, founded United Artists and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and is often described as one of the most influential women in Hollywood history.

Pickford's films and shorts will be screened at La Paloma Theatre. On a very cool note, Pickford attended the grand opening of the theater in 1928.

The public is also invited to a free lecture by Hugh Neely and screening of his documentary, Mary Pickford: A Life On Film on Saturday, Nov. 7, 4:00pm at the Encinitas Library, which is a lovely building with an ocean view.

Dave Stewart, the musician and producer, will display his photographic work at the Morrison Hotel Gallery starting this weekend. As a musician, Stewart has collaborated with Annie Lennox, Mick Jagger, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Bryan Ferry, Gwen Stefani, Shakira, Bono, and others. His photography features candid shots of some of the most influential musicians of our time.

Mary Duncan, Emeritus Professor at San Diego State University, will discuss her book "Henry Miller is Under My Bed: People and Places on the Way to Paris" on Saturday at D.G. Wills bookstore in La Jolla.

Check out Duncan's story as revealed in this juicy memoir: granddaughter of a bootlegger, Duncan grew up in National City and eventually married a Protestant preacher. Research took her to Belfast, Tehran and Managua. For years she had a surreptitious affair with 60’s guru Max Lerner and developed a fascination for Henry Miller, Simone de Beauvoir and pioneers of the sexual revolution. She eventually founded a Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Moscow. Duncan has said: "I'm more afraid of dying bored than I am of dying."

Larry King, host of CNN's “Larry King Live" will present his memoir, "Larry King: My Remarkable Journey," at the San Diego Jewish Book Fair on Sun., Nov. 9 at noon. San Diego's Jewish Book Fair runs through Nov. 13th. Upcoming speakers include Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary and a special evening devoted to Anne Frank on Nov. 11th.

Prolific writer Joyce Carol Oates will be at Book Works on Saturday at 5 p.m. to read from her new novel "Little Bird of Heaven." Oates has written over 50 novels, short stories and works of non-fiction. She's fascinating to listen to - with her intensity, thoughtful observations, and polymathic interests (she loves boxing!).

Ola Hadi, a local author and teacher, will be signing copies of her book, "The Moon & Metaphor," at the Borders in Chula Vista on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. Hadi was born in Kuwait City in 1982. She founded the Drunk Poets Society of Ocean Beach, a poetry reading club.

Next Wednesday at the Museum of the Living Artist, there's a Poetry Slam that combines poetry and visual art. Here's basically how it works: bring your poetry and your art and read your work among the art that inspires you. Winners take home $150 (1st Place), $100 (2nd Place) and $50 (3rd Place). More info here.

More options for your weekend were discussed today on our Weekend Preview.
Have a culture lusty weekend!