Things to do when you're lonely

- Three-minute storytelling at the Loft (info)
-There's some Backyard Drama happening over at Sushi (info)
- Dive head first into San Diego's deep brewing history (info)
- Welcome Greg Laswell back to San Diego (info)

MORE: TODAY, TOMORROW and THURSDAY

by T. Michael Crowell at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We had our flashback episode last night. And aside from a killer cameo by Andrew McCarthy, it was a yawner.

It was fun to revisit the neon tights and shoulder pads. Loved the Depeche Mode and New Wave music used throughout. And in a way, the fashion didn't look way too far off from what people wear today.

But a backstory about Serena's mom hanging out with L.A. punks and seeing No Doubt in dingy clubs? Not so much. Mercifully this is not going to be a spin-off as originally threatened.

The highlight of last night's episode was prom.

Dan bailed Serena out of jail and they went together. Ho hum.

Mysteriously Blair's dress was damaged by the dry cleaner but there was already a replacement waiting for her. And it looked exactly like the dress in the prom scrapbook she created in fifth grade.

She also won prom queen even though everyone voted for Nelly Yuki.

Guess who mastered Blair's perfect prom? Not Nate. It was Chuck, working quietly behind the scenes.

She was sooooo happy!

Only now that Blair went to prom with her high school boyfriend, the relationship suddenly felt very high school and she broke up with him.

Does this mean Blair and Chuck will finally get together? Please?

Want to see the most interesting thing about Gossip Girl these days?
Little J and Blair have competing bands! Read on to see the videos.

Continue reading "GOSSIP GIRL: Prom Night" »

by Nina Garin at 12:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's undeniable that San Diego and Tijuana are anything but traditional neighbors. So it makes sense that Lui Velazquez, located in Colonia Federal mere feet from the turnstiles where southbound foot traffic pours into Mexico, is anything but your traditional art space. In fact, it's best to avoid calling it a gallery altogether.

Co-curators Micha Cardenas, Katherine Sweetman and Felipe Zúñiga prefer to think of it as a workshop open to artists from either side of the border, a transition point between not just the two cities but the two countries.

Continue reading "RENEGADE HOUSE OF ART: Lui Velazquez" »

by Derrik Chinn at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Get out for a little rock and pizza ...

- New Mexico rockers with cascading alt-anthems visit SOMA (info)
- Free pizza, and a movie tonight? This bar is better than a boyfriend (info)
- It's a two-piece band extravaganza! (info)

MORE: TODAY, TOMORROW and WEDNESDAY

by T. Michael Crowell at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

More video for you Adam-crazy fans. Lambert sings for Mt. Carmel High, meets Mayor Jerry Sanders and gets his first stage-rush from a teenybopper.

More coverage of "American Idol" finalist Adam Lambert's visit to San Diego.

by Jennifer Croshaw at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Now that "Project Runway" has officially moved to Lifetime, Bravo premiered its latest fashion design reality show, cleverly titled "The Fashion Show."

Was it as good as "Project Runway?" Let's discuss.

Contestants: While "Project Runway" had its fair share of wacky designers, "The Fashion Show" was a regular freak show.

Like Merlin. Or James-Paul, who showed up in wooden shoes.

Plus the drama with these new kids is already pretty crazy, especially since Daniella likes to share her "I just graduated from fashion school" wisdom on everyone.

Still, a lot of these people are way too aware of themselves. They're almost cartoonish. Who knows if we'll see the same Daniel Vosovic innocence on this show.

WINNER: Tie

Judges: OHMYGOSH. Did you see the people in "The Fashion Show's" audience? Elie Saab. Tadashi Shoji.

These are heavy-hitters, people. It's way more legit than having Tiki Barber judge you.

And while former Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland doesn't have the same fashion resume that Heidi Klum does, Kelly's comments are just as, if not more, critical.

The only downside is New York Fashion Week creator Fern Mallis. She may be a knowledgeable judge, but she's not nearly as much fun as Nina Garcia.

WINNER: "The Fashion Show"

Continue reading "FASHION WAR: Michael Kors versus Isaac Mizrahi" »

by Nina Garin at 04:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Finest City's very own "American Idol" finalist Adam Lambert came home for a special performance Friday. During his fast and furious morning tour, Lambert stopped at the Fox 5 Morning show and an AT&T store. The Rancho Pensaquitos native and Mt. Carmel High School grad showed up at his alma mater for a parade and performance.

More: "Lambert 'idolized' at his alma mater."

Photo Gallery: Adam Lambert's homecoming.

Catch the action in the video above.

by Tovin Lapan at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

Local "American Idol" contestant Adam Lambert is taking a whirlwind homecoming tour through San Diego today, a trip that includes a parade at his alma mater, Mt. Carmel High School in Rancho Penasquitos.

Confirmed: Adam will not be at SeaWorld today.

The day started at 7 a.m. with a live interview on "The Fox 5 Morning Show," followed by a hop over to Star 94.1 for an interview with Jeff and Jer, then an interview with Channel 93.3's AJ's Playhouse.

Lambert also makes a stop at the AT&T store at 8225 Mira Mesa Blvd., where he will be presented with a customized phone.

The Mt. Carmel High School parade will begin between 10:15 and 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Bassmore and Sun Devil Way. The parade is open to the public. It will be followed by an assembly for Mt. Carmel's students and staff.

The Union-Tribune is on the scene shooting video. Check back later today.

Continue reading "ADAM'S HERE: 'Idol' finalist in San Diego" »

by Karla Peterson at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

In which we nudge you from your laptop and into the night ...

- You need some beer...pong (info)
- Get irie with an English reggae band at HOB (info)
- Nothing cures a bad day like some Tina Fey (info)
- Get primped for "American Idol" finalist Adam Lambert's homecoming tomorrow (info)

MORE: TONIGHT; WEEKEND

FOLLOW: Facebook; Twitter; MySpace

by Jennifer Croshaw at 04:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Update: Here's a new schedule for Adam's San Diego visit.

Top 3 "American Idol" finalist and former San Diegan Adam Lambert returns to his hometown tomorrow for a radio appearance and parade.

If you've watched "Idol" over the seasons, you know it's for the tear-jerker episode, where finalists gush about the rabid adoration from thousands of fans who come out of the woodwork to cry and clap and generally go crazy.

According to the Jeff & Jer Showgram, Adam will appear at 8 a.m. at Star 94.1 for an interview. He'll then arrive -- via a police escort -- at his high school alma mater Mount Carmel High.

Who's camping out to catch a glimpse?

by Jennifer Croshaw at 12:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

Chances are, if you watch Spanish language newscasts, you know sports anchor Humberto Gurmilan of Telemundo Channel 33.

But what's not obvious is that after a surfing accident in high school, Gurmilan became paralyzed from the waist down.

Still, the San Diego and Tijuana native never let his injury stop him from pursuing a career in journalism or from heading out to dance clubs anytime he can.

Continue reading "STREET PERSON: Humberto Gurmilan" »

by Nina Garin at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (26)

Ladies and gentelmen, your America's Next Top Model final three (as photographed by the one and only, Tyra Banks):

First, we have geeky Allison. Tyra's nerd-turned-model almost always make the final three, so this one's not a shocker. But will she be able to overcome her awkwardness for the Cover Girl commercial?

Even though she's often in the bottom two, Aminat made the cut because how can you not include, as Tyra said, a body as good as Naomi Campbell's?

Continue reading "TOP MODEL: The final three" »

by Nina Garin at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Weekend to-dos:

Bike from a house of books to a house of beer to see Tapes 'N Tapes, Delta Spirit, Get Back Loretta and Stranger at the Beach to Brewery Beer and Music Fest in P.B.

Give Chicago power-pop rockers OK Go another go at their rescheduled HOB show.

Stretch your neck skyward as daredevil flyboys turn San Diego Bay into an obstacle course for the Red Bull Air Races.

Press play and we'll explain.

by Derrik Chinn at 09:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In which we nudge you from your laptop and into the night ...

- Laura Jane at 8 and lounging with a turkey pesto panini (info)
- Nortec's Bostich spins at La Mezcalera (info)
- Go for the music, if not for the rock-folk name (info)
- North Park's U-31 has three bands for $5, that's $1.66 per band (info)

MORE: TONIGHT; TOMORROW; WEEKEND

FOLLOW: Facebook; Twitter; MySpace

by Jennifer Croshaw at 04:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

These Ion Theatre guys are ambitious.

I told one (Glenn Paris, then Claudio Raygoza) to his face, right after the late Sunday showing of "The Cripple of Inishmaan," playing tonight through Sunday at the Lyceum.

What I meant was this small, 2-year-old toddler of a homeless theater threw up an impressive Martin McDonagh Depression-era dramedy in the midst of a real money shrinkdown. That's kinda like a migrant worker setting up a squatter camp, complete with running water and a Starbucks.

Theaters are downsizing their efforts. But Ion's philosophy? To borrow a phrase from their current show, They're "[trying] for something. Elsewise why be alive at all?"

The play, set on a small Irish island (Inishmaan, population 200) in the 1930s, is about a hobbled character with high aspirations, too ... Cripple Billy wants to go to Hollywood.

Billy (Jason Connors, far right, believably cunning, cripple and Celtic, even when he fades out of his brogue) and his infirmities are ridiculed island-wide. Even by his nutty aunts Kate (played by Dana Hooley, who stepped into the role a week before curtain up and captures the emotionality of the stereotypical Irish with her crying eyes) and Eileen (by D'Ann Paton, whom I couldn't match with her face in the program; she inhabited that rundown old lass).

Eileen: Poor Billy'll never be getting kissed. Unless it ... be a blind girl.
Kate: A blind girl or a backward girl.
Eileen: Or Jim Finnegan's daughter.
Kate: She'd kiss anything.
Eileen: She'd kiss a bald donkey.
Kate: She'd kiss a bald donkey. And she'd probably still draw the line at Billy. Poor Billy.
Eileen: A shame too.
Kate: A shame too, because Billy does have a sweet face if you ignore the rest of him.

Continue reading "'CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN': Ion's making do, making good" »

by Keli Dailey at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)