Gaslamp Quarter San Diego

The Gaslamp Quarter Association is pleased to host the nineteenth annual Taste of Gaslamp, San Diego’s original urban culinary walking tour, on Saturday, June 9th and Sunday, June 10th, 2012 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. From the pickiest eater to the veteran gourmand, all are welcome to enjoy this year’s Taste of Gaslamp, featuring over 30 Gaslamp Quarter dining venues featuring their house specialties, as well as the picturesque Beer Garden presented by Samuel Adams – for guests 21 and older – at Altitude Sky Lounge atop the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter (660 K Street).  Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance, which will be available online at www.gaslamp.org for $30.00 per person per day, as this veritable smorgasbord sells out in advance each year.  More information about the Taste of Gaslamp can be found at www.gaslamp.org or by calling (619) 233-5227.

DECEMBER 8, 2009 -- Solar panels will be installed on the roof of the west side of the downtown San Diego Convention Center. The environmentally friendly project is slated to begin in early 2010. The photovoltaic panels will cover 90,000 square feet, and will not alter the look of the bayside convention center, according to a spokesperson.

“Installing solar power on the top of our building is like having our own clean power plant at the facility,” says San Diego Convention Center Corporation general manager Brad Gessner.

The panels are being installed by SPG Solar at no cost, via a 20-year power purchase agreement between the SDCCC and Alternative Energy Capital. The panels are valued at $2.7 million, and will be maintained, owned and operated by AEC/SPG Solar.

The power generated by the panels will be sold to the convention center at lower “peak demand” rate per kilowatt hour than the SDCCC is currently paying. Spokesperson Steven Johnson says the savings over the course of the 20-year agreement will be about $1.7 million.

Gesner says the installation will also offset about 10 percent of the facility’s electrical consumption. Convention center officials pride themselves on being green industry leaders. In 2009, the convention center recycled 40 percent of its total waste, including 150 tons of waste food.

In September, Mayor Jerry Sanders announced a plan to expand the 2.6 million square foot convention center. That plan is currently not funded. Task force renderings for a phase 3 expansion do also include solar panels on the roof.

DECEMBER 3, 2009 -- Tonight’s the end of the road for San Diegans growing moustaches to raise money for men’s health issues. The “Movember” movement climaxes tonight with a Gala Parte at downtown’s Bondi restaurant and bar.

Hundreds are expected to show up in costumes that accentuate the “mo’s” we grew all through November and had to endure for three extra days in December. Mo Bros—as well as Mo Sistas—will be thanked for their efforts in raising money and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer research.

The Gala Parte will culminate with a contest contest (emcee-ed by a rather familiar-looking Ron Burgundy). Costume categories include: Miss Movember, Lame Mo; Best Mo Bro/Sista Combination; Best Team; Best Mo In Character; and The Ultimate Mo. Someone from amongst these standouts will be declared the 2009 San Diego Man of Movember.

Tickets are $10…but mention Ron Burgundy sent you, and get in free (if capacity allows).

Mo Mos: The Ten Tenors will miss the Bondi Gala Parte, and that’s a shame. The Australian singing act arrives here on Saturday, for a one week run at the Civic Theatre (December 8-13). Movember is an Aussie creation, and the boys grew moustaches all last month as they toured the United States. To see four mo updates from the Tenors from Down Under, go to: Singing Mos.

Deck the Halls With Politicians: A dearth of facial hair can be expected at the 10^th annual Little Italy Tree Lighting at the Piazza Natale at India and Date streets (December 10, starting at 4:30 p.m.). Mo-less politicians like Mayor Jerry Sanders, city attorney Jan Goldsmith, city councilmember Kevin Faulconer, county supervisor Ron Roberts, district attorney Bonnie Dumanis and state assembly member Lori Saldana are expected.

“Deal of the Century”: Always wanted to hold a party at the House of Blues, but budget got in the way? If you’re fast on your feet, you could get the “deal of the century” on a special event held December 12 at the downtown venue. A client that booked the space went out of business, and House of Blues is anxious to fill the hole. For information, contact Andrea Parker at 619-525-1939.

DECEMBER 2, 2009 -- Local singing sensation and Americal Idol runner-up Adam Lambert will make a special appearance in downtown San Diego on Thursday (December 3). The glam-rocker will personally donate the KISS-inspired costume he wore on last season’s Idol final to the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, which has an extensive display of artifacts from the annals of rock-and-roll.

“He is excited to have the opportunity to do this,” says Hard Rock spokesperson Rana Kay. “He’s from San Diego and Hard Rock is a celebration of music, and we believe in his longevity to be doing this.”

Lambert’s debut album, For Your Entertainment, sold nearly 225,000 units in its first week, according to Billboard.com.

The presentation of his costume is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Lambert is expected to draw a big crowd, but the lobby capacity of the Hard Rock will limit the number of fans who will be able to attend.

Kay says she gave out 10 pairs of tickets on Twitter, and the radio station Sophie (103.7 FM) is also giving out 10 tickets.

One fan who secured a ticket from Kay lives in South Carolina. “She said, ‘Book me a room, because I’m coming,’” says Kay.

The general public wanting to attend the ceremony will have to wait in line at the Hard Rock’s main entrance. Stanchions will be in place that will allow hotel guests to enter and depart.

Kay says sleeping out overnight to be first in line will be deterred. “But we can’t stop people from gathering during the day,” she says.

Lambert’s flashy black costume will be on display on the first floor of the hotel, near the end of the Walk of Fame. His outfit will go up next to memorabilia from Janis Joplin, Gwen Stefani and Grace Slick. 

NOVEMBER 24, 2009 -- The site of the latest DTOWN Mixer was the new, dual-venue Taste & Thirst (715-719 Fourth Avenue) in the Gaslamp Quarter. The monthly party celebrates the publishing release of San DIego Downtown News newspaper. Party partners include FIT Athletic Club, The Galamp Quarter Association and sandiegoDTOWN.com. Ivan Harris snaps the photos--check out who was on hand...

MOVEMBER 12, 2009 – This is the first of impeding and irregular updates on the “Movember” Movement. All month, hundreds of thousands of sane men around the world will be growing out their moustaches. Is 2009 the new 1970s? No, but there's a good cause at stake: Movember has allowed $47 million to be donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The Australia-based Movember Foundation is just six years old, and came to America three years ago. Movember is like the Susan G. Komen walkathon for breast cancer, but implements upper-lip hair follicles instead of pink ribbons.

The up-side to growing an itchy food filter over your mouth is in creating a persona to match your mo (Aussie slang for moustache). As you can see in the accompanying photograph of 12 days of slow mo growth, I’ve shaved breaks between the ‘stache and the chin goatee region. This conforms to Movember regulations.

To date, I haven’t figured out what character the ol’ mo and I will become (that’s why I’ve left as much growth area still standing). For now, I’m calling myself: Mo’Ron. Actually, since I originally hail from Baltimore, perhaps I’ll go by Balti Mo’Ron for awhile.

Movember will be celebrated this year in San Diego on December 3 at Bondi Australian Bar and Kitchen. As per the past two years, the Gaslamp Quarter will be invaded by hundreds of mos. (Do not be alarmed. Most are only armed with toy weapons.)

If you’ve got a suggestion for a mustachioed character I could be for the Gala Parte at Bondi, write me a comment. Thanks for helping me figure out how to be something besides just a Mo’Ron.    

(To donate to the Prostate Cancer Foundation in the name of my soon-to-be-named moustache, click on this link: Movember Web site, and type in “Ron Donoho.”)

NOVEMBER 6, 2009 -- Friday and Saturday are the nights that bars and nightclubs traditionally make the most money. The work week is generally over for patrons, and those hard-working folks want to loosen up with friends, down adult beverages and take over dance floors.

But some argue that Wednesday and Sunday have become the new Friday and Saturday.

How’s that possible? It all starts with the hospitality industry crowd.

“This is a hospitality industry town,” says Mike Georgeopoulis, a partner at downtown’s recently re-opened Side Bar. “All the people who work at bars, restaurants and at hotels can’t go out on Friday and Saturday nights. They’re working. And they’re all close-knit friends—and they’re fun, good-looking people. They have money to spend and they want to go out, too.”

And for hospitality industry workers, week nights don’t precede “school days.”

In the Gaslamp Quarter, traditional “off nights” are seeing a wide array of special deals. On Mondays, Confidential Restaurant + Loft offers half-off all drinks and most menu items. La Puerta does the same thing on Tuesdays. Both draw good crowds. And in North Park, True West Tavern is packing them in on Mondays and Wednesdays.

In Pacific Beach, Bar West owns Sundays. “It’s our signature night,” says general manager Chris Martin. He says the crowd is bigger on Sundays than Fridays.

Like Side Bar’s Wednesday night, Bar West’s Sunday began as an industry night. Bartenders, waitresses and hotel workers can bring a pay stub or business card to the door and get drink specials ($5 premium cocktails) and pay no cover.

“What happens, though, is people hear that it’s a great party, and that attracts people who aren’t in the industry,” says Martin. And not just the Friday-Saturday party people—Martin says San Diego Chargers players like Steven Cooper and Shawne Merriman, and celebs such as Wilber Valderrama and Chloe and Courtney Kardashian might swing by on any given Sunday.

Side Bar’s Georgeopoulos is part of a group that’s preparing to re-open the space that housed former downtown hot spot Aubergine. He’s planning something special for Tuesday nights, when that place opens in February.

“The greatest part of the success of our Wednesday night at Side Bar is that we didn’t think it was going to work,” he says. “Our employees, especially our bar manager, came up with the idea. We went into it reluctantly—but I’m glad to see they were right.”

OCTOBER 22, 2009 -- Popular local culinary figure Brian Malarkey, a former Top Chef: Season 3 reality TV contestant, has left downtown’s Oceanaire Seafood Room. It will soon be announced that Malarkey is partnering with Stingaree night club owner James Brennan on a new Gaslamp Quarter restaurant.

The new eatery will be on the site of the Fifth Avenue Z Gallerie furniture store, according to a knowledgeable source. A formal announcement on the partnership and plans for the restaurant are set to be released tonight. Z Gallerie is currently open for business, and an employee who answered the phone had not heard that the store would be closing.

Malarkey had spent the past six weeks on California’s paid paternity leave. On July 31, sandiegoDTOWN.com reported that Malarkey would not be returning to the kitchen at Oceanaire. (Click HERE to view that story.)

The Top Chef finalist later said he would return. He stated via email: “I will still be employed by the Oceanaire after my daddy leave,” he wrote. “Sean Langlais will be the acting chef in my absence. And again like last night, that's all I can say.”

Malarkey’s original quote regarding Langlais was: “I’m proud to leave the kitchen to executive sous chef Sean Langlais. He deserves to run the kitchen—he’s been doing it for so long.” (Click HERE to view that full story.)

Malarkey could not be reached for comment about the new restaurant. A source said the new venture at the Z Gallerie location is hoped to be up and running by summer 2010.

(This story was amended at 2:51 p.m. to note that Z Gallerie is still open.)

OCTOBER 20, 2009 -- The Kitty Committee is nervously waiting in line, trying not to block the entrance to a new downtown Subway sandwich shop. They are queued up to get tickets for The Haunted Hotel, a gritty, urban and time-tested Halloween attraction.

There are three members of the Kitty Committee, an ad hoc trio of 12-year-old cheerleaders who, as the name of their club clearly implies, dress up like cats and go do scary things. They survived the Haunted Trail in Balboa Park, though two members just looked down at their shoes for the entire one-mile, outdoor scare-a-thon.

The costumed cats are drawing attention while waiting in line. A non-costumed Haunted Hotel employee, whose primary job appears to be making sure the Subway door remains clear, notices club members Chandler and Danielle wringing their hands. They look like miniature (feline) versions of Boston Red Sox fans waiting for Big Papi to hit a homer in the ninth inning of a World Series.

The employee motions to a couple Haunted Hotel actors dressed as garden variety ghouls walking up and down Market Street. “Hey, these ones are scared!” the employee says. “Make sure you take special care of them inside!”  

Chandler and Danielle shudder. Francesca, the brave one, looks on with disdain.

Danielle wants to go to Scareventures, two blocks away and allegedly not as scary as Haunted Hotel. Chandler is not against the idea, but Francesca will have none of it. “This is what we planned,” says Francesca the Brave.

Chandler is my daughter, and I’ve seen this every year. First, she pleads to come to a scary attraction. The first was the former Frightmare on Market (below Side Bar, and now the site of Scareventures). I bought tickets and we stood in line, just the two of us. Then she said: “I can’t do it, I can’t do it, let’s go, let’s go…” as we were about to go in.  But we do it and are entertained, the only adverse outcome being welts on my arm where she had grabbed me for the duration.

As we approach the Haunted Hotel entrance, the anxiety level of two-thirds of the committee is rising.

“Has anybody ever died in there?” asks Danielle. “And how many chainsaw people will there be?”

I joke: “I heard the chainsaw people might be on strike, so it’s hard to say.”

Only Francesca laughs.

As the tickets are handed over to get in the door, the Kitty Committee scrunches into a tight ball. Their pre-teen feet stop moving forward. I look down. Is fear of the unknown about to win out over the exhilaration of the unexpected?

Darn, I think to myself. I don’t think they give refunds.

About 20 minutes later, the Kitty Committee walks—no, runs—up the steps and out of the Haunted Hotel. For the record, there were two chainsaw people among the highly creative, creepy settings we shuffled through. Chandler and Danielle probably looked up from their shoes a couple times.

Now, here on busy Market Street, on an evening where the temperature allows for short-sleeves but sweat has been built up from nervous energy and clenched muscles, the Kitty Committee is all smiles.

“A lot of those monsters smelled funny,” notes Francesca.

Chandler looks up at me with wide eyes. “Daddy,” she says, “Can we do it again?”

(

The Kitty Committee is nervously waiting in line, trying not to block the entrance to a new downtown Subway sandwich shop. They are queued up to get tickets for The Haunted Hotel, a gritty, urban and time-tested Halloween attraction.

There are three members of the Kitty Committee, an ad hoc trio of 12-year-old cheerleaders who, as the name of their club clearly implies, dress up like cats and go do scary things. They survived the Haunted Trail in Balboa Park, though two members just looked down at their shoes for the entire one-mile, outdoor scare-a-thon.

The costumed cats are drawing attention while waiting in line. A non-costumed Haunted Hotel employee, whose primary job appears to be making sure the Subway door remains clear, notices club members Chandler and Danielle wringing their hands. They look like miniature (feline) versions of Boston Red Sox fans waiting for Big Papi to hit a homer in the ninth inning of a World Series.

The employee motions to a couple Haunted Hotel actors dressed as garden variety ghouls walking up and down Market Street. “Hey, these ones are scared!” the employee says. “Make sure you take special care of them inside!”  

Chandler and Danielle shudder. Francesca, the brave one, looks on with disdain.

Danielle wants to go to Scareventures, two blocks away and allegedly not as scary as Haunted Hotel. Chandler is not against the idea, but Francesca will have none of it. “This is what we planned,” says Francesca the Brave.

Chandler is my daughter, and I’ve seen this every year. First, she pleads to come to a scary attraction. The first was the former Frightmare on Market (below Side Bar, and now the site of Scareventures). I bought tickets and we stood in line, just the two of us. Then she said: “I can’t do it, I can’t do it, let’s go, let’s go…” as we were about to go in.  But we do it and are entertained, the only adverse outcome being welts on my arm where she had grabbed me for the duration.

As we approach the Haunted Hotel entrance, the anxiety level of two-thirds of the committee is rising.

“Has anybody ever died in there?” asks Danielle. “And how many chainsaw people will there be?”

I joke: “I heard the chainsaw people might be on strike, so it’s hard to say.”

Only Francesca laughs.

As the tickets are handed over to get in the door, the Kitty Committee scrunches into a tight ball. Their pre-teen feet stop moving forward. I look down. Is fear of the unknown about to win out over the exhilaration of the unexpected?

Darn, I think to myself. I don’t think they give refunds.

About 20 minutes later, the Kitty Committee walks—no, runs—up the steps and out of the Haunted Hotel. For the record, there were two chainsaw people among the highly creative, creepy settings we shuffled through. Chandler and Danielle probably looked up from their shoes a couple times.

Now, here on busy Market Street, on an evening where the temperature allows for short-sleeves but sweat has been built up from nervous energy and clenched muscles, the Kitty Committee is all smiles.

“A lot of those monsters smelled funny,” notes Francesca.

Chandler looks up at me with wide eyes. “Daddy,” she says, “Can we do it again?”

(Haunted Hotel is at 424 Market Street and open through October 31. They are closed October 20-21, but open every day of the rest of the month. Doors open at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $15, cash only.)

OCTOBER 10, 2009 -- There's no dearth of parties in October, and a good crowd found its way into the (semi)secret entrance of Syrah for the release party of of Downtown News. Look at Ivan S. Harris' party pictures (that photo guy is everywhere!). Entertainment was provided by DJ Mike White and trumpeter Justin Malizia. Mister Tiki's Mai Tai Lounge laid out sushi.

If you missed the fun, join sandiegoDTOWN.com's  Big Lebowski event at East Village Tavern + Bowl on October 14 . The downtown crew (sandiegoDTOWN.com, Downtown News, FIT athletic club) will head to Funky Garcia's on October 15. Look to the Web site for more details.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2009 -- San Diego Film Festival, Day 4. Last year’s festival attracted 14,000 people over five days. According to SDFF programming director Karl Kozak, this year’s numbers are up about 20 percent.

Attendees at Saturday night’s Actor’s Ball and Awards Program at Hotel Solamar seemed to be in high spirits, even if they weren’t calculating how much entertainment bang they’d gotten for their buck—like I was.

For $99 (down from $129 last year), a five-day festival pass got you unlimited access to feature films, informative industry seminars and parties filled with actors, directors and producers. I put a value of $300-$400 on the five movies, five parties and three in-theater Q&A’s I attended. In comparison, Kozak notes that tickets for just one day of the Sundance Film Festival are $500.

“We’re one of the cheapest regional festivals in the country,” says Kozak.

And most under-appreciated by locals, perhaps. Like Dodgers games at Petco Park, and Raiders visits to Qualcomm Stadium, there has been quite the dominant Los Angeles presence.

San Diegans could benefit by putting this on their calendars for next year. And as the festival wrapped up Sunday, here were some of the highlights:   

Award Winners. Mira Sorvino won best actress for her role in Like Dandelion Dust, and James Van Der Beek got the nod for actors for his work in Formosa Betrayed. Chris Morrow and acclaimed sea life artist Wyland won the Filmmakers Award for One Water.   

Making A Splash. The winning entry for Best Documentary was American Harmony. Two representatives of the film jumped into the Hotel Solamar pool on announcement. One happy winner then walked back to his seat, got his dry cell phone and brought it back to the podium to call his mother. (But did she ask if he waited 45 minutes after eating before jumping in?)  

Killing It. The Job won for Best Screenplay. The plot: A down-on-his luck man is hired to kill someone. It’s a black comedy. Sample dialogue:

Bubba: “The job is murder.”

Drifter Jim: “Well, every job is tough.”

Bubba: “No, I mean the job is…murder.”

Seminars. San Diegan Heather Back, who is writing a screenplay, went to four industry seminars on Saturday. She reports:

“The seminars on filmmaking and acting were as entertaining as they were informative. Asked to share his industry insight, actor Seymour Cassel says, ‘You don’t have the time. I’ve been doing this for 50 years.’ But he regaled with stories of scaring co-stars, and loosening them up by dumping spaghetti in their laps.

Actor James Van Der Beek urged: ‘If you can imagine anything else in the world other than acting that would make you happy, do that! If you can’t imagine another occupation, then acting is right for you.’

Justin Eugene Evans provided behind-the-camera tips, especially on getting a film financed. Who knew investment in a film is 100 percent tax deductable? Or, that some states rebate filmmakers for working within their borders.”

Still Burning. Jon Kinney was involved with the movie Beyond Belief: Honeymoon at Burning Man. For the uninitiated, Burning Man is an annual desert-based, high-art festival of radical self-expression. Burning Man attendees go phantasmagoric with their attire, and Kinney reports that was also the case during the SDFF screening.  

SEPTEMBER 26, 2009 -- San Diego Film Fetival, Day 3: I arrive at the Gaslamp Theater too late to see “William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet.” It’s Friday night, and Captain Kirk himself is still in the house, though. My party of three beams into front row seats for the post-movie Q&A with Shatner.

A raffle is wrapping up. The host is announcing winners’ names. When he smilingly calls out: “Leonard Nimoy?,” the crowd giggles.

“William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet,” according to a festival report, is where high art meets pop culture. The music of Shatner and Ben Folds (sans Five) from their collaborative album “Has Been,” is transformed into ballet by award-winning choreographer Margo Sappington.

“This movie was like giving birth—without all the contortions,” explains Shatner.

On the way out of the theater, I remind Shatner of his appearance in the 1989 movie “Free Enterprise.” In it, he plays himself, and performs onstage doing a rap version of Marc Antony’s speech in “Julius Caesar.” Was that the mixed-genre precursor to “Gonzo Ballet?”

“It would seem so, wouldn’t it,” says Shatner, who is hustling up the aisle and out into another sector of the galaxy.

I stay to watch “The Boys Are Back,” set in Australia and starring Clive Owen. The movie begins with the death of the wife of Owen’s character. He’s left to grieve and simultaneously care for a six year-old boy and a teen son from a previous marriage.

“Boys” opens in theaters nationwide on November 12. It’s a well-done, yet simple story. Two-thirds of my party fell asleep before it was over. Avoiding the Patron cocktails from the VIP Room helped me make it all the way through the movie.

>>There are more films playing all day Saturday. I’m hearing buzz about “The Job” a world premiere comedy starring Ron Perelman and Joey Pantoliano; and “Repo,” another reported laugher with Jason Mewes (from “Silent Jay & Bob”)…The Actor’s Ball and Awards party is Saturday at Hotel Solamar.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 -- San Diego Film Festival, Day 2: One of the sponsors of this five-day event is Patron. Ergo, tequila is served exclusively in the top-floor VIP room of the Gaslamp Theater. It’s handy to have a bar in a movie theater. But the bartender—same blonde-haired guy as the night before—now knows my usual is Patron and pomegranate.

The Thursday night independent movie offerings all have a local connection. These shorts—ranging in time from a three-minute animated piece to a 17-minute comedy—were shot either in San Diego or done by someone from here or lives here.

Nine movies are scheduled to be shown over the course of an hour and a half. These Local Love shorts actually take longer than that due to a technical glitch midway through a dark fantasy called Mended. Once the actual tape is mended, we watch the whole nine-minute noire piece again.

The star of Local Love is a funny film called Love In Bulk. It’s the story of Cliff and Jane (Aris Alverado, Rakefet Abergel), two overweight shoppers who fall in love at Bulk N Buy (read: Costco). Their relationship runs a hilarious full course all in one shopping trip.

Love In Bulk is co-produced by Andrew and Matt Rubin of Encinitas and Carlsbad. Andrew wrote and directed the film. I ask him what the Costco people think of the movie. “They love it,” says Andrew. “They don’t think we are making fun of them. They love the scenes with the employees giving out the food samples.”

The SDFF is the first festival the Rubins applied to. Based on feedback from audiences, they’re going to see where the festival circuit can take them.

After viewing all the shorts, I follow the Local Love crowd to a Filmmakers’ Social at Lucky D’s. My festival pass entitles me to two drink tickets. Yes, Patron is the featured drink here, too. A couple Margaritas later, I’m ready to get home and rest up for Day 3’s movie offerings. Perhaps I’ll pass on the Patron this time. Pomegranate on ice, please…

SEPTEMBER 24, 2009 -- Director Jon Gunn is mingling by the cabanas at the Se Hotel pool lounge. It’s opening night of the five-day San Diego Film Festival. Gunn’s movie, Like Dandelion Dust, has just opened the festival to raves.

Casually, I approach Gunn (My Date With Drew, Mercy Streets) and ask him about his visit to San Diego. Turns out he was born in Balboa Naval Hospital, and spent parts of his childhood in La Mesa and Lemon Grove.

His take on the SDFF: “It’s small and when you’re here, you feel like part of a family. We feel very welcomed.”

That sentiment is echoed by actor Barry Pepper, who played Roger Maris in 61*, and is one of the central characters in “Like Dandelion Dust.” Pepper also has a local connection—he lived with his father in Coronado 15 years ago, while he helped his dad get a boat ready for a Hawaii crossing.

The small, intimate feeling of the SDFF is exemplified by the very fact the director and lead actor are hanging out with the public and mingling at the opening night after-party.

Festival executive director Robin Laatz believes one of the best components of the event is the Q&A session with movie principals after each viewing.

She’s right. After the final credits of Like Dandelion Dust, the Gaslamp Theater lights go on and Gunn, Pepper, other actors, a screenwriter and two producers take questions from the audience. People ask about the movie’s setting, the plot and about choosing the actors to play the characters.

Call me a nerdy film buff, but I am riveted. We learn, for instance, that the scene where Pepper is bitten on the nose by a dog was an actual bite. Gunn quips that he can’t take credit for directing the dog.

Tonight’s SDFF focus is Local Love, meaning all movies shown will come from a local filmmaker or is a movie shot in San Diego. The after-party is at Lucky D’s. Bring your questions.

September 23, 2009 -- The red carpet will be out as opening night arrives downtown and the San Diego Film Festival prepares to light up the screen at the Gaslamp Theater.

For those new on the set, here’s how it works.

First, decide on your commitment. You can pay $12 to see any single film. But pass-holders get priority seating. A day pass ($39-$49) gets you in all movies on a single day, plus that night’s party. A $59 screening pass allows access to all festival movies, but no parties. The premium buy is the all-inclusive festival pass ($99), which gets you into everything (even festival attendee William Shatner’s hotel room, if you play your cards right).

What do you wear? Don’t expect to see tuxedos and sequined dresses. This is San Diego. Anything goes (we wear sandals to weddings and funerals).

Tonight, there’s just one opening movie: “Like Dandelion Dust.” It stars Mira Sorvino, Barry Pepper and Cole Hauser. It’s the story of a family with an adopted son, whose biological father gets out of jail and wants to reclaim his boy. You might want to bring a hankie.

The movie is scheduled to air at 7 p.m., but SDFF executive director Robin Laatz says pass holders and ticket holders should arrive at 6 p.m. There will be a red-carpet entrance set up at the G Street door of the Gaslamp Theater. Laatz confirms that along with a couple of the film’s stars, a few Chargers will enter on the red carpet, including SAG-card-carrier Kassim Osgood.

When the movie ends, there will be a 20-minute Q&A with the stars, producers and director of “Like Dandelion Dust.” Then, it’s a short walk to the opening night party at the Se Hotel’s pool deck. An open bar will feature Patron products.

Ah, show business.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 -- For the duration of the week, The San Diego Film Festival has my full reportorial attention. It’s in its eighth year as a downtown event, and will screen more than 85 independent movies September 23-27 at downtown’s Gaslamp Theater. Granted, it’s not as glamorous as Cannes, and it isn’t as hip as Sundance. But like Cheryl Crow sang, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you have.”

I plan to soak up t least one movie, industry panel or  party every night. And if I get close enough to William Shatner to smell his cologne, well, bonus.

Last year 14,000 people hung out for some form of festival fun. “It’s a rewarding experience,” says SDFF executive director Robin Laatz. “We’ve got the attendance, but it’s still an intimate setting. People who do the whole film festival circuit around the country say they make more friends here than anywhere else.”

The place to make those friendships? The parties. Here’s the scoop for 9 p.m. to midnight each night:

Opening Night GQ Lounge Presented by Patron.  Wednesday night’s gala is in the Se Hotel. It’s a school night, so the festivities don’t rage into the wee hours. But you can walk the red carpet and pretend “Entertainment Tonight” is waiting to interview you. Look out! Kanye West is trying to steal the microphone!

Glaceau smartwater Filmmaker Meet & Greet. Lucky D’s will extend the local love for area filmmakers. It’s on Thursday, the night when screenings include a San Diego State University Film Showcase. Thursday is also the tradition beginning of the weekend for the SDSU student body.  

Industry Party Presented By Limelight PR. This is the biggest fete, with more than 1,000 expected to network and schmooze Friday night at the W Hotel. I’m told this is will be my best chance to corner Shatner and pepper him with my burning questions about “Boston Legal.”

944 Actor’s Ball & Awards Ceremony. This night is slightly more formal. For the Saturday awards ceremony at Hotel Solamar, expect significantly fewer sandals paired with dress slacks.

Closing Night Wrap Party. This Sofia Hotel event on Sunday should be fairly laid-back. Oh,but don’t let the party name fool you—dress code does not require that all guests wear wraps.

JOIN US SEPTEMBER 23–27, 2009 AT THE GASLAMP THEATER FOR

• 5 DAYS AND NIGHTS
• 85 FILM PREMIERES
• 5 CHIC NIGHTLY PARTIES
• Q&A SESSIONS WITH FILMMAKERS AND CELEBRITIES
• VIP RECEPTIONS, LIVE PERFORMANCES AND 
• CAREER-ADVANCING NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES!

O'Brothers is going to be host the Great American Dine Out September 20th through the 26th. Come in any time durring that week and mention you are here to support the Great american dine out, We will donate 5% of the sales to the foundation to help fight Child hunger. for more details visit http://join.strength.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GADO_homepage 

See you then!

~O'Brothers

Kids eat FREE on tuesday and Wednesday nights from 5pm to 9pm. One kid with a purchase of an adult entree, side, and beverage.

Talent Evolution LLC and NextWork™ Services Host PinkSlipMixers 2.0 to Offer 200+ Local Job Seekers Virtual and Live Networking as Part of National Event

SAN DIEGO – PinkSlipMixers.com, a volunteer-based national community grass-roots organization, has organized a multi-city, bi-coastal, simultaneous job networking event on Labor Day that will utilize various social media tools for the purpose of connecting thousands of job seekers, recruiters, career coaches, resume writers, and hiring managers to network, provide advice, and discuss employment opportunities. San Diego has been selected as one of the six cities to host the national event, thanks to the local volunteer support of Talent Evolution, LLC and NextWork™ Services.

PinkSlipMixers 2.0 San Diego Event Details:

Monday, September 7, 2009

2:00 – 5:00 p.m. PST

Hotel Solamar – LOUNGEsix

435 6

http://www.meetup.com/Pink-Slip-Mixer-San-Diego

*Job seekers are encouraged to bring resumes, cover letters and business cards

The current recession and continual corporate layoffs are redefining what Labor Day means to many people. Designed to recognize and reward Americans with a day of rest for achievements in the labor force, Labor Day at the PinkSlipMixers 2.0 event will redirect Americans’ efforts to connecting unemployed professionals and assisting them in uncovering new job opportunities. PinkSlipMixers 2.0 will be held in San Jose, Pasadena, San Diego, Newport Beach, Las Vegas and Jacksonville.

Edwin Duterte, founder of PinkSlipMixers 2.0, explained, “This is the right thing to do to help revitalize our local job markets. Online networking is fantastic, but nothing beats meet up-close and personal.”

Linda Amaro of NextWork Services stated, “For the past several years, NextWork has supported San Diego job seekers through career coaching, resume writing and development services, as well as free networking events to aide in the recovery efforts of the local San Diego market. The mission of our company is helping individuals find and land their dream jobs. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to volunteer to host PinkSlipMixers 2.0, a powerful event that fosters this very mission.”

John Walker of Talent Evolution, LLC added, “This event is about paying-it-forward and helping people find employment in this economy. We’re all in this together and the quickest and most effective way to help build jobs and get people back to work is by networking and having people reach out to one another. We’re so pleased to bring the first event of this kind to San Diego.”

The PinkSlipMixers 2.0 event is not a job fair, and it’s more than the typical “pink slip party”, a popular and growing trend around the country. PinkSlipMixers 2.0 attendees utilize social media tools include Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook to promote their job search and career criteria, along with a link to their professional profiles online. The event will be live streamed from each venue location onto the PinkSlipMixers.com Website.  PinkSlipMixers will utilize Webcams to interview job seekers, career counselors and hiring companies. While more than 200 attendees are expected to attend the San Diego event, job seekers in areas that are not physically hosting event can still network online by participating through instant messaging tools.

About PinkSlipMixers 2.0

PinkSlipMixers 2.0 is a unique "pink slip party" job networking event. Guests "Pay it Forward" by exchanging job search tips, forwarding job postings, "Tweeting" about things they talk about and hear in the crowd (Twitter Feeds are broadcasted live during the event) and just simply encouraging other job seekers through the recession. Pink Slip Mixers 2.0 events are currently in California, Nevada and in Florida and will be expanding to at least 10 metropolitan cities in the United States. For more information, go to: http://www.pinkslipmixers.com.

About Talent Evolution, LLC

Talent Evolution, LLC (http://www.TalentEvolution.com) is an Orange County-based personal branding and career management services organization that helps job seekers and business owners build their personal and business brand through Social Media and Social Networking. The Talent Evolution team is uniquely qualified to provide “industry inside” information with their combined 30+ years experience in the Talent Management space building traditional, online and social networking strategies for Fortune 1000 Employers.

About NextWork™

With vast experience in the executive/management/team development industry, Linda Amaro and Pattie Vargas founded NextWorkä to help individuals identify their personal strengths to gain clarity on how to achieve career fulfillment and work-life balance. NextWork San Diego services include open enrollment workshops, resume preparation and review, DISC behavioral coaching and accountability coaching. NextWork is dedicated to helping San Diego individuals achieve their career goals. For more information, call (760) 420-8444 or visit http://www.nextworkservices.com.

AUGUST 25, 2009 -- If Benny Hill, Gallagher and Johnny Knoxville somehow all had a baby together, it would probably resemble a sexed-up, manic jackass like Jeff Beacher. If that sparks your interest in any way, set aside Friday night to check out Beacher’s Madhouse at downtown’s Stingaree nightclub.

The Madhouse has been a Las Vegas mainstay. This tweaked-out variety show plays to crowds at Sin City’s Mirage resort and attracts celebrities like Paris Hilton, John Stamos, Jon Bon Jovi and Gene Simmons. It’s loud, interactive, sexy and sometimes offensive.

"It's a nightclub-meets-the-circus thing," says Beacher. "It's an acid trip--very high energy."

It’s hard to describe Beacher’s Madhouse other than to just list what the show sometimes includes: Dancing little people dressed as Willy Wonka’s Oompa-Loompas. Live monkees. Gorilla and bunny costumed people. Breakdancing. Circus contortionists. Go-go dancers. Jugglers. Sword swallowers. Goats. Little people rocking out like Kiss. Contests for doing karaoke, dancing and women pretending to have orgasms.

Basically, anything goes.

“Stingaree is willing to up the ante of nightlife entertainment,” says nightclub spokesperson Lauren Clifford. “A lot of San Diego’s clubs are getting celebrities now, but Jeff Beacher is really on the cutting edge.”

To see Beacher’s Little Look-Alikes (mini impersonators dolled up like Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, etc.) check out people.com. Or, read about Oompa Loompa Donnie Davis getting detained (while in costume) by police in Florida on TMZ.com.

Friday night at Stingaree will be Beacher’s only San Diego stop during a U.S. tour. Tickets are $20 and general admission doors open at 9 p.m. You are forewarned.

AUGUST 24, 2009 -- In past years, the San Diego Symphony’s Summer Pops series has included diverse and diverted concerts that featured the music of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. This Thursday, the symphony will back a tribute band that will smoke out edgy music from The Doors.

Conductor/arranger Brent Havens will lead a 50-piece orchestra and a rock band led by the vocals of Randy Jackson (no, dawg, not the “Idol” Randy Jackson). The two-hour gig will feature Doors classics like “Riders on the Storm” and “Light My Fire.”

“Just imagine the power and energy of a rock band combined with the soaring grandeur of the symphony at Embarcadero Marine Park South,” says Summer Pops spokesperson Stephen Kougias. Guess you could love them two times.

Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd drummed up more pre-sales than The Doors have, says Kougias. He hopes the current economic bummer doesn’t stop music fans from breaking on through and filling the 2,700-capacity outdoor venue by the bay.

You can’t bring alcohol into the park (beer and wine is sold onsite), but patrons can bring their own food. Given the aura of drug usage that surrounded former Doors lead singer Jim Morrison, I ask Kougias if he expects, you know, more “special brownies” in picnic baskets for this show.

“Drugs?” ponders Kougias. “No.” Long pause. “That would not be legal or appropriate. This isn’t a 1968 Doors concert at The Sports Arena. Some people might be talking about it, but I haven’t seen any evidence of drugs at these types of pops concerts.”

People are strange, though.

AUGUST 21, 2001 -- By definition, a “voyeur” is someone who views others without their knowledge, often to derive sexual pleasure. And then there’s Voyeur, a new Gaslamp Quarter nightclub that lives up to its name.

There’s so much to see in this two-floored, goth-like space (which used to be Ole Madrid). There’s been a lot of buzz about the dance floor. Pull open the garage-like doors and take a peek at the DJ booth, a stage for go-go-dancers and a humongous LED wall that blinks wildly and can display messages.

During my recent visit, the wall was blinking the words “Guru” and “Tattoo”—which happened to be the name of the company showing off framed, six-foot-tall paintings of Asian-themed, tattooed body suits by Aaron Della Vedova and other artists.

The paintings were a temporary display. But the gold skulls that line the wall on the first floor are permanent. So are the video feeds behind the bar shooting from hidden cameras throughout the place; the lamps in the AK-47 Room that are shaped like machine guns; and the all-black Rubber Room—a bottle service area that overlooks the dance floor and is upholstered floor-to-ceiling like some sort of evil sanitarium.  

But back to the essence of the club’s name. The ceiling above the ground-floor bar has panels of see-through glass. Ladies who wear skirts—you are forewarned. Guys and voyeurs—heads up.

AUGUST 23, 2009 -- Prohibition is a new, hidden gem from the owner of Nicky Rottens and Sloppy Joey's. That will give you a hint as to where it is in the Gaslamp Quarter--but it won't help when they ask you for the password to gain access.

Prohibition brings a Roaring '20s-era speakeasy to San Diego, with live jazz performances by local musicians, and great cocktail specials. It's my ultimate spot for getting out of the crowded, sweaty, noisy clubs full of drunk guys smacking a girl's rear end to the beat of the music.

Recently, Prohibition has locked down access, to keep the shorts-and-flip-flop crowd out. I've had them close the door behind me and not let tailgaters in at all.

I want it intimate, sophisticated-yet-friendly, with live music that can be enjoyed, reasonably-priced and refreshing cocktails (they seem to rotate their menu every month or so) and light crowds. Every time I've been, that's what I get.

FYI: Prohibition is open Thursday-Saturday, from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. The password changes daily. Folks can visit their Web site (ProhibitionSD.com) or find them on Twitter (@ProhibitionSD).

(DowntownRob is CEO of DowntownRob.com, a social media consulting and promotions company, as well as WebWizards.Net, a Web development company. He lives, works, and plays downtown, and lives on Twitter as @DowtownRob.)

JULY 1, 2009 -- It’s no wonder David and Kim Pinkney have been picked for a reality show about “underdogs” in American business. He survived the mean streets of Chicago. She made it out of rural New Mexico. As Kim says, “not many of the kids we grew up with got an education, or are business owners.”

Today, they own Crunch Time Popcorn, with a storefront on K Street that’s half a block from Petco Park—home to Padres, their biggest client.

After finding each other nine years ago—on a dating Web site—the pair survived a couple tragedies to be where they are now. In 2003, their Descanso home was one of few that survived that year’s wild fires. And late last year, an F-18 military jet crashed in their neighborhood. The plane’s canopy landed on a neighbor’s roof, and glass sprinkled the garden Kim had planned to work in that day.

They’ve had a downtown San Diego Crunch Time store for seven years, and have been in the current spot for just a year. The Pinkneys sell popcorn to several downtown hotels (The Omni, Sheraton, Manchester Grand Hyatt, the Marriotts and the new Hilton Bayfront to name a few). Christmas is a big selling time for cans of their trademark caramel corn. But David says 70 percent of his business is vended at Petco Park.

“A lot of people with the Padres helped me, and I thank them all,” says David. “[Part-owner] John Moores, though, he put us in and got the ball rolling. He wanted to see an entrepreneur in this position—and he snapped his fingers and made it happen. We’re a small company in that park—but we don’t get stepped on at all. We are underdogs that are making it.”

The Pinkneys have six employees that make their trademark air-popped corn (it’s not cooked in oil). And seven venders hawk it in the park—including David. He doesn’t have to sell, but says it’s the best feeling in the world: “I make it with my own hands and sell it, and I get to see the blissful reaction on peoples’ faces when they eat it.”