Culture Lust Weekend: Ruined, Tim Kasher and All That Remains

ART

This month at LUX, David Humphrey is turning kitschy imagery into creative commentary. Working with depictions of poodles, Christmas trees and ice cream cones in pop colors, Humphrey encompasses the ennui of everyday while poking fun at the American consumerist culture. The best part? Museum goers can take part in his artistic process through LUX’s “artist-in-residence” program. It opens tonight!

Incorporating mixed media, photograms, negatives and other unusual photographic embellishments, Thomas Barrow has created and championed his own niche in the world of photography. Inspired by the Surrealist and Dadaist movements, Barrow’s work references everything from art history to billboard ads. His exhibition, "A Restless Mind," opens tomorrow at the Joseph Bellows Gallery and will be displayed all month.

In conjunction with Kettner Nights," Jackrabbits and the Crow: On Dwelling and Passing" will be at The Andrews Gallery this Friday. For the exhibition, artist Claire Zitzow has taken over the entire gallery space to recreate a "Jackrabbit" (an abandoned house) from the Morongo Basin circa the Small Tract Act. Artifacts including photographs, books and other mementos Zitzow uncovered during her research will be displayed in and alongside the house to complete an eye-opening artistic commentary.

While we’re already anxiously anticipating the return of Malashock Dance Studio's RAW to SUSHI, we’re even more excited that their performance will be accompanied by an exhibition opening. Opening this evening, SUSHI is presenting the fanciful and nostalgic "All That Remains." Besides the fact that the art of Melissa Beck, Vincent Robles, John Dillemuth, Amber Obhner and Micajah Truitt will be featured, this event is a must see as it’s also an experiential learning experience for the future museum curators currently studying at San Diego’s Mesa College.

Recognized as one of the leading Jewish artists of the 20th century, Marc Chagall’s pairing of color and folklore have gained him a cult following that endures today. This Tuesday, UCSD and SDSU Art History Lecturer, Dr. Ann Woods, will be exploring Chagall’s life, art and inspiration at the OMA.

In her newest line of self-portraits and nature paintings, Anne Labovitz has imbued her optimism and energy into her artwork by way of color. Appropriately titled "Passions," the exhibition opens with a reception at the Athenaeum tomorrow.

MUSIC

The Loft and The Casbah are teaming up to present Tim Kasher - aka the indie-rock frontman from Cursive and The Good Life - this Saturday. Regardless if he’s a new musical name for you, or if you’ve diligently followed him to and from Montana, Kasher’s music has gained a reputable following from the likes of Rolling Stone and Spin magazines, so we’re sure it’s going to be a can't-miss show.

Their season only kicked off in October, but Orchestra Nova wasted no time getting back into their rhythm. Their Nova Classics concert series is already attracting nearly sold-out audiences and the program continues this weekend with "Four Seasons, Four Virtuosos" on Friday, Saturday and Monday.

THEATER

Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "Ruined", opens next Tuesday at the La Jolla Playhouse. Set in the war-torn Congo, "Ruined" is the story of relationships and politics, facilitated and mediated by the local brothel owner Mama Nadi. The play’s music and humor against the backdrop of a dark setting is ultimately emblematic of the Congolese people straining between hope and humanity.

In the heart of 1917 New Orleans - between the brothels, saloons and Mardi Gras festivals - Louis Armstrong, Ma Rainey and Jelly Roll Morton were starting a musical renaissance. Set in its namesake city, "Storyville" is a musical about music and every counter-culture that comes along with jazz. Between the caberets and boxing matches, The San Diego Rep (and the 21 member singing/dancing cast backed up by a seven-piece band) is putting on a smokin’ show. The jazz begins Saturday and will continue at the Lyceum all month.

For a youthful take on Shakespeare’s timeless classics (or to see what happens when ballet meets the Bard), spend your Monday with "Young Performers and Shakespeare - A Night of Music and Dance". Honoring the San Diego Shakespeare’s 10 year anniversary, the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, San Diego Civic Dance and San Diego Children’s Choir will be performing at the Neurosciences Institute.

BOOKS

Young adult author Julia Alvarez ("The Secret Footprints," "In the Time of the Butterflies") is speaking in San Diego this Monday! For “An Afternoon with Julia Alvarez” make your way to San Diego State, or if you're booked from 1-3, spend “An Evening with Julia Alvarez” at the University of San Diego. Alvarez will be speaking about the doomed Mirabal sisters, who star in her novel "In The Time of the Butterflies."

Whether we remember her as Clark Gable's costar or as the gamine with legal troubles and a string of interesting husbands, Hedy Lamarr will forever be one of the most stunning starlets to grace the silver screen. Detailing Lamarr’s life in his new book "Beautiful: The Life of Hedy Lamarr," Stephen Michael Shearer will be at D.G. Wills Books this Saturday to discuss a surprising side of the woman who was once known to be “the most beautiful girl in the world.”