A&E Calendar
San Diego Entertainment

By: James C. Harrison -  

10/09/2009

Old Town San Diego Art Festival:   Fashions, furniture, jewelry. Sat. Oct 17 & Sun. Oct. 18, 10 am to 6 pm in Old Town park. (619) 233-5008, McFarlane Promotions. 

San Diego Museum of Art:  “Calder Jewelry” shows 88 stunning works of art. Sculptor Alexander Calder designs jewelry. Now – Jan. 3, 2010. Also, “American Artists of the Russian Empire,” and “From Rembrandt’s Studio.” Balboa Park. (619) 696-1941. 

San Diego Museum of Art: Filmmaker Neil Kendricks discusses the work of renowned filmmaker Stan Brakhage, Oct. 19, Copley Auditorium. (619) 232-7931. 

San Diego Space and Aviation Museum: Leonardo DaVinci exhibits, models, others. Great for families! Balboa Park, near Auto Museum. 

Miscellaneous  

La Jolla Gallery, Wine, Walk & Taste:   Seventh Annual affair to sample world class cuisine, phenomenal wines, and exquisite art work all on the same night. Thurs., Nov. 5, 5 pm to 9 pm. Tickets at McFarlane Promotions, (619) 233-5008. 

Monster Bash: Biggest Halloween bash in town! Saturday, Oct. 31, Gaslamp District, 7^th & Market & J Streets. Live bands, main stage, Dj’s. costumes contest, $3,000 prize! 6 pm to 12 midnight. $25 in advance, $30 at door. (619) 233-5008 for tickets. 

Plumeria Society: Join up and learn about the beautiful Hawaiian plant. Call Betty at (619) 461-5942 for meeting schedule. 

Film 

“Amelia” is the biography of famous American aviatrix Amelia Earhart. She was one of the first women pilots, but her ill-fated solo flight across the Pacific in 1937 was doomed. Hillary Swank stars as Amelia, with Richard Gere and Ewan McGregor lending support. Famed woman director Mira Nair guided the film. Fox Searchlight. 

“An Education” is about a 16 year-old girl (Carey Mulligan) who falls for an older man (Peter Sarsgaard) who shows her he glittering world of 1960s London. With Emma Thompson, Dominic Cooper, Rosamund Pike, Alfred Molina. Sony Pictures Classics. 

“A Serious Man” is the Coen Brothers’ attempt at comedy. Unknown Michael Stuhlbarg plays a physics professor nearing tenure who is side-tracked by a  surprise divorce. He seeks advice from three useless rabbis. This is a look at a mid-western Jewish family that doesn’t fit in anywhere. Richard Kind, Adam Arkin. Focus Features. 

 “Baader Meinhoff Complex” depicts Germany in the 1970s. Bombs, terrorism, and fear strike the foundations of the fragile German democracy. European star Bruno Ganz stars as the head of the German Police force. With Moritz Blebtreu, Martina Gedeck. Constantin Film. 

“The Boys Are Back” is a hair-raising look at Clive Owen as a single father. He suddenly becomes a single dad after the tragic death of his wife. Life at home is precarious, unstructured and disastrous. Owen copes as well as he can in this true story. Directed by Scott Hicks of “Shine” fame. Miramax Films. 

“Bright Star” is a beautifully made costume picture from director Jane Campion. British star Ben Wishaw plays romantic 19^th century poet John Keats. His next door neighbor is the beautiful Fannie Brawne (Abbie Cornish). They fall in love when he teaches her about poetry and romance. Sensuous and beautiful. BBC Films/ Screen Australia. 

“Capitalism: A Love Story” is another startling documentary from Michael Moore. This films challenges the financial institutions that went belly-up and got all that money from the government, Moore wants to know where it went, Indeed. So do we. Paramount Vantage/ Overture Films. 

“Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs” has the best movie title of the year. And, it’s a comedy, of course! With animation and big screen 3D thrown in and the voices of James Caan, Anna Faris, Neil Patrick Harris, Andy Samberg and Mr. T, how can you go wrong? It’s just zany and funny. Sony Pictures Animation/Columbia Pictures. 

“Coco Before Chanel” unfolds the tale of headstrong orphan Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (Audrey Tautou) who has an extraordinary journey through life. She becomes the legendary couturier wile rebelling against the conventions of her time. She symbolizes success, freedom and style for millions of women. Sony Pictures Classics. 

“Couples Retreat” is the directing debut of adult Peter Billingsley (cute Ralphie in “A Christmas Story”). He’s taking a different look at people trying to “find themselves.” The comedy looks at four couples who go on a vacation of self-discovery. Starring are Vince Vaughn (Billingsley’s old room-mate), Malin Akermand, and French star Jean Reno. Universal Pictures. 

 “District 9” was made in South Africa and turns out to be one of the best and most exciting films of the year. In a reverse of alien invasions, the interplanetary visitors become the victims of vicious human behavior. Directed by Neill Blomkamp. Fantastic! TriStar Pictures. 

“The Informant !” puts Matt Damon in a comedy about a real life con man. Director Steven Soderbergh squeezes the laughs out of Damon and Scott Bakula. He was a corporate whistle-blower. Damon gets the chance to get laughs with his bizarre behavior. Warner Bros.  

“Inglorious Basterds” teams director Quentin Tarantino and mega-star Brad Pitt in this rousing World War II story. Pitt is a tough military man who wants to wreak havoc on the Nazis. German stars Diane Kreuger and Til Schweiger, Christoph Waltz, from Austria, steals the picture as a vicious, but charming, Nazi. Terrific film. Universal. 

“It Might Get Loud” is about how the electric guitar has dominated popular music for more than 50 years. Pioneered by Les Paul, the inventor of the solid body electric guitar, music will never be the same. With Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, Jack White and more. Sony Pictures Classics.  

“Julie & Julia” is funny, delightful, charming, and fun. It’s about chef Julia Child (Meryl Streep) and her life in France with diplomat husband Paul (Stanley Tucci). Amy Adams plays a woman who wanted to cook all of Child’s recipes and write a blog about it. It’s a don’t-miss film! Absolutely terrific. Sony Pictures Releasing. 

“Paris” : French icon Juliette Binoche takes care of her grown brother ( Romain Duris) when he comes down with heart problems. Touching and entertaining. IFC Films. 

“September Issue” takes a look at the dog eat dog world of fashion. Style mavin Anna Wintour is putting together the September issue of Vogue Magazine and all the backstage backstabbing that goes with it. Dishy and campy! Roadside Attractions. 

“Surrogates” brings Bruce Willis back to the screen in this thriller about a man who created robotic clones of people. With Radha Mitchell. Touchstone Pictures. 

“Toy Story,” & “Toy Story 2” in huge 3D with a sneak of “Toy Story 3” is Disney’s promotional attempt to stir up interest in the fabulous three dimensional process. Tom Hanks’ and Tim Allen’s talent is used for voice characterization. Walt Disney Pictures. 

 “Whip It” is Ellen Page’s first starring role since “Juno.” She plays a young girl who loves the roller derby and takes to the rink to please her mother (Marcia Gay Harden). Drew Barrymore makes her directing debut on this female-bonding film. With Indian actress Ali Shawkat and new hunk Landon Pigg. Fox Searchlight. 

“Zombieland” is a zany look at a world overrun by the horrible creatures. Woody Harrelson and youngster Jesse Eisenberg are two mismatched survivors who bond to fight the zombies. Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin. Columbia Pictures. 

Music 

Andrea Bocelli in Concert: Two venues: Las Vegas, MGM Grand, Dec. 12 and Honda Cener, Los Angeles, Dec. 13. Call Las Vegas @ (866) 740-7711 & LA  @ (800) 745-3000. 

Camarada Gallery Concert Series:   “Imagine” featuring music by John Lennon, Ravi Shankar, Anon, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Yujiro Yokoh and music from Bosnia, Israel, Bulgaria. Oct. 17; Perry L. Meyer Fine Art Gallery. (619) 231-3702. 

Humphrey’s Concerts :   Carlos Mencia, Oct. 17; Roger Daltry, Oct. 18. 

La Jolla Music Society: Shanghai Quartet & Lynn Harrel, cello, Oct. 17, Sherwood Aud, 8 pm; Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Yuja Wang, piano, Nov. 19, 8 pm, Copley Symphony Hall downtown. Coming: world-renown pianist Lang Lang, April 2010. Tickets (858) 459-3728.  

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus:   Soprano Susan Naruki plus Bartok, Beethoven, Steven Schick conductor, Oct. 31-Nov. 1; Leonard Bernstein, “Mass” with Ken Anderson, Dec. 4 – 6. Mandeville Auditorium, UCSD Campus, (858) 534-4637. 

Live Nation:   Snow Patrol, 10/17, SDSU; Rob Thomas, 10/21, SDSU.  

Marble Room: Fiery Latin beats, Flamenco Thursdays, classical guitar.  535 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp downtown,  (619) 702-5595. 

Nokia Theater/Staples Center:   Cirque Dreams, Oct. 30;  Nov. 1; Anita Baker, Nov. 7; Celtic Thunder, Nov. 8.  John Fogerty, Nov. 12; Mannheim Steam Roller Christmas Show, Dec. 11. Across from LA Staples Center, Downtown LA, (800) 745-3000.  

Orchestra Nova:   Series “Flying Solo,” Oct. 21,24,26; “Hayden Seek,” Nov. 20, 21, 23; “All in the Family: Meet the Bachs,” Jan. 29, 30. Feb. 1. St. Paul’s Cathedral; Qualcomm Hall, Sorrento Valley; Sherwood Auditorium, La Jolla. (858) 350-0290. 

Spreckels Organ Pavilion:   Free concerts every Sunday at 2 pm. Oct. 18 & 25, Carol Williams, Organist. Nov. 1, Navy Bands & Carol Williams; Nov 8,15, 22, Carol Williams; Nov 29: Williams with Organ Society Winners Suzy Webster, Paul Bullard, and Katlyn Graves. Balboa Park. 

Walt Disney Concert Hall:  “Classic Disney Scores,” with Hollywood Bowl Orchestra & John Mauceri, conductor, Oct. 20; Film comic Steve Martin and an evening of bluegrass & banjo with the Steep Canyon Rangers, Oct 28. (323) 850-2000. 

Theater

Ahmanson Theater: Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award-winning “August: Osage County,” starring Oscar ® winner Estelle Parsons. Now. - Oct. 18, downtown Los Angeles, (213) 972-4400. 

Broadway/San Diego: Smash Disney musical, “The Lion King,” six Tony Awards, Oct. 13 to Nov. 8. Civic Theater, 3^rd & B Streets, downtown, (619) 570-1100. 

Cygnet Theater: “Man from Nebraska” by Pulitzer Prize wining author Tracy Letts, Now- Nov. 1. Location:  7202 El Cajon Blvd. (619) 698-5855 xt. 112. 

Grossmont College Theater:  Melodrama “Dirty Dan” has action, fun, intrigue, romance, Oct. 23 & 24. Stagehouse Theater on campus. 8800 Grossmont College Dr., El Cajon. (619) 644-7234. 

Hollywood El Centro Theater:  Musical spoof of coming out and coming of age musical-comedy, “Anita Bryant Died For Your Sins,” Now – Nov. 1, weekends, 804 N. El Centro Ave., Hollywood. (323) 460-4443. 

J Company Youth Theater:  Rogers and Hammerstein’s hit musical “South Pacific. Oct. 15 – 24, David & Dorothea Garfield Theater, Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Dr., La Jolla, (858) 362-1348. 

Lamb’s Players Theater:   “Joyful Noise,” the story of Handel’s “Messiah.”(619) 437-0600. Coronado. 

La Mirada Theater: Olympic star Cathy Rigby takes to the stage with actress Michael Learned in hit comedy “Steel Magnolias.”  Now- Oct. 18. (562) 944-9801. 

Mark Taper Forum: Hot new musical “Parade”, winner of two Tony Awards, Best Book and Best Music. Starring T.J. Knight of TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” Co-conceived by Harold Prince. Now- November 15, 2009. Los Angeles. (213) 628-2772. 

North Coast Repertory:   ”Talley’s Folly,” Oct. 17- Nov. 8; Comedy-musical “Glorious,” Jan. 13- Feb. 7, 2010.  Address: #987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D, Solana Beach. Phone (858) 481-1055. 

San Diego Junior Theater: Famed musical “Oliver!,” Casa del Prado Theater, Balboa Park, Oct. 23 – Nov. 8.  (619) 239-8355. 

UCLA Live: San Diego’s own, film star Annette Bening in “Medea,” Freud Playhouse, Now – Oct. 18, UCLA Campus, LA, (310) 825-2101. 

Welk Resort Theater: Hilarious World War II USO musical spoof, “The Andrews Brothers.” When Betty Grable and the Andrews Sisters have to cancel, the boys improvise and save the day! Now – Nov. 8.  # 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido, 1-(888) 802-7469. 

 
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