Sushi Finds A Home
Edginess is back with the re-emergence of downtown San Diego’s Sushi Performance & Visual Art. Sushi never totally went away, but has been homeless since it lost its permanent downtown residence in 2004. Since then, it has roamed the county, performing in a variety of spaces. Its new/old home will be in the Icon complex, which is the site of its former residence, the old East Village ReinCarnation building. Icon has made available an approximately 5,000-square-foot, first floor area for the group, and founder Lynn Schuette will serve as interim executive director. Starting this season, Sushi will offer a "pay what you can" invitation to the public, allowing Sushi to continue to export its Takeout series to a variety of venues. For example, the series 4X4 at the Bluefoot Bar and Lounge the second Tuesday of each month will feature new work by seven to ten artists performing on a four-foot by four-foot stage. Mockumentary on October 19-21 at San Diego State University presents work by the Seattle-based Locust company. A fundraiser on November 2 in Barrio Logan showcases the improbable London trio, Tiger Lillies. October and November highlights a new series, Underground Cinema Lounge, in North park, where music and non-mainstream films are paired. Always, the unusual is usual with Sushi. (619/235-8466, www.sushiart.org) — Darlene G. Davies

MOPA’s Movie Magic
Hot on the heels of the San Diego Film Festival, the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park is offering three unique film festivals of its own this month. Already underway is their homage to the greatest playwright in history, The Film’s The Thing: Shakespeare On Screen, which continues to run until October 11. The series includes a number of contemporary takes on Shakespeare’s classics, such as 10 Things I Hate About You, starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles; Romeo & Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes; and Richard III, starring Ian McKellen. From October 4- 7, women filmmakers make their voice heard at the 5th Annual San Diego Women’s Film Festival. The organization received over 400 film submissions this year, of which 100 will be shown to audiences at MoPA and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. The films highlight positive messages about social issues, including ethnicity, class, culture, race and gender. Past films screened at the festival have gone on to win Academy Awards. Finally, from October 12-25 the museum hosts Cinema Sud, a series focusing on Southern Italian cinematographic culture. Organized by the Italian Ministry of External Affairs and sponsored by the Italian Consulate and the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles, the films explore the diversity of life in the Italian regions of Campania, Basilicata, Puglia, Calabria, Sicilia, and Sardegna. (619/238-7559, www.mopa.org)
— Ryan Thomas

Primary Viewing
Downtown’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MCASD) recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of Thursday Night Thing (TNT), a must-attend event featuring live music, artist lectures, DJs, and cocktails. The first Thursday of every month, the erudite and eager-to-drink know where to see and be seen. Earlier this year, supporters of MCASD’s diverse and engaging agenda also toasted the addition of the Jacobs Building, an across-the-street expansion that doubled the museum’s space. On October 21 at Jacobs, MCASD presents Robert Irwin: Primaries and Secondaries, an exhibition featuring five new installation pieces by the artist, four of which premiere in San Diego. The exhibition also surveys 50 years of Irwin’s career, ranging from his early dabblings in abstract expressionism to his more current large-scale installations. The museum owns 50 works by Irwin — whose art explores illusion and perception — in its permanent collection. Primaries and Secondaries runs through February 22 at the Jacobs Building, and then moves to 1001 Kettner through April 13. (858/454-3541 www.mcasd.org) — AnnaMaria Stephens

October At The Old Globe
There are gems in the upcoming Old Globe season. Not the most spectacular, but perhaps the most precious of these is the appearance of Rosemary Harris in Oscar and the Pink Lady. While she’s best known as Spider-Man’s aunt May, she has starred in numerous Broadway productions over the past decades, including A Lion in Winter, for which she won a Tony Award in 1966. Oscar and the Pink Lady, based upon a novella by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, deals with childhood and spirituality. Its American premiere on the Cassius Carter Centre Stage runs through November 4. At the same time, next door in the larger Old Globe Theatre venue, audiences will see the world premiere musical A Catered Affair, based upon the original play for television by the great writer Paddy Cheyefsky, with book by theatre legend Harvey Fierstein and directed by Tony Award-winner John Doyle. Fierstein is in the cast, along with Faith Prince, known for Guys and Dolls. Music and lyrics for the Broadway-bound musical are by John Bucchino. Look for this production to be technically top-notch and a lot of fun. It runs through October 28. (619/234-5623, www.theoldglobe.org) — Darlene G. Davies

Spoon Man
The mythological world of sculptor Boban comes to Madison Gallery on October 19. Boban’s works are composed entirely out of found objects, most notably spoons, and explore a sense of motion and torsion. Boban’s sculptures grace collections throughout the world in Hyatt Hotels, McDonalds Corporations, with monumental pieces in public placement in Chicago and Montego Bay, Jamaica, and the MOCA Museum in Arkansas. (858/459-0836, www.madisongalleries.com) — Alicia Garcia

Religious Rituals
This fall the Museum of Man welcomes distinguished scholar and museum professional Osnat Misch-Brandl, who returns to San Diego from Israel to revisit the museum’s Journey to the Copper Age: Archaeology in the Holy Land exhibition. Brandl, instrumental in curating the exhibition, will offer special classes, tours, and lectures October 28 through November 11. She will share her expertise about the significance of the Chalcolithic period, a time of great artistic, ritual, agricultural, and technological innovation. Brandl, the curator of Chalcolithic and Canaanite periods for The museum in Jerusalem, works in the education department at the Israel Museum. Her visit to the Museum of Man will allow guests to gain first-hand knowledge from a curator of the Copper Age exhibition. Brandl collaborated with Thomas E. Levy from UCSD to create the Copper Age Exhibition. She personally accompanied 6,000-year-old copper artifacts from Israel to the museum, where they are exhibited for the first time outside of the Holy Land. Brandl’s San Diego visit will culminate with her presentation: Religious Rituals in the Chalcolithic Period on Sunday, November 11, at 3pm in the Gill Auditiorium. (619/239-2001, ext. 21, www.museumofman.org) — Jane Shiomi

Culture Calendar

October

Ongoing: Ocean Oasis
This giant-screen film takes viewers on a fascinating journey into Mexico’s Sea of Cortés and the Baja California desert. San Diego Natural History Museum. (619/232-3821, www.sdnhm.org)

Ongoing: Juried Fine Art Show
The Carlsbad-Oceanside Art League (COAL) presents a juried fine art show by COAL members every Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting) on the lawn in front of the Carlsbad Inn. The show runs from 9am-4pm. In addition to presenting their work, the artists will also be demonstrating in various media. Admission is free. (www.carlsbadinnart.blogspot.com)

Thru 10/6: Innocent Discoveries
Distinction Artist Studios and Gallery presents an exhibition featuring the artwork of Ahren Hertel, Kelly Haigh, Michael Brown, Sarah Joncas, Jen Lobo, and Kendra Binney. (760/781-5779, www.distinctionart.com)

Thru 10/7: The Honky Tonk Angels
At North Coast Repertory Theatre. This hilarious and touching musical tells the story of three ladies from rural backgrounds who follow their dreams to Nashville to become country western singers. (858/481-2155, www.northcoastrep.org)

Thru 10/7: The Adding Machine
In this darkly comic expressionist classic, a number cruncher learns he will be replaced by a machine and summarily murders his boss. La Jolla Playhouse’s Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. (858/550-1010, www.lajollaplayhouse.org

Thru 10/13: Kate Breakey Exhibition
Joseph Bellows Gallery presents the gallery’s second exhibition of artist Kate Breakey. The exhibition will feature photographs from Breakey’s series Small Deaths and Still Lifes. (858/456-5620, www.josephbellows.com)

Thru 10/18: Natural Connections: Joanne Hayakawa And Gail Roberts
The William D. Cannon Art Gallery in Carlsbad presents an exhibition of paintings by Gail Roberts and ceramic sculptures by Joanne Hayakawa — two artists, who have been close friends since 1982. (760/602-2021)

Thru 10/21: Embracing Randomness — Urban Musings, By Lisa Smith And John D. Clark:
New Works From The Ancient Stories Portfolio
The Ordover Gallery in Solana Beach presents the fine art photography of Lisa Smith, whose imagery takes the viewer into the realm of emotive space, evoking surreal visions found in dreamscapes and memories. Also featured are new works by John D. Clark, who has expanded upon his Ancient Stories portfolio, a body of work that photographically explores the ancient ruins, petroglyphs, pictographs, and landscapes of the Southwest.
(858/720-1121, www.ordoverproject.com)

Thru 10/26: El Viaje
El Viaje celebrates Latin-born, Jewish artists who have made the journey from their native lands of Mexico and Cuba to live and become part of the diverse San Diego arts community. The Gotthelf Art Gallery, part of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, Jacobs Family Campus. (www.sdcjc.lfjcc.org)

Thru 10/28: A Catered Affair
A Catered Affair is set in the Bronx of 1953. Funny, heartbreaking and oh-so human, this musical play reveals relationships strained to their limits when a couple must decide whether to spend their life savings on a family business or to launch their only daughter’s marriage with a lavish catered affair. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)

Thru 10/31: Palomar College Exhibition At Hands On Cedros
The exhibition will showcase ceramics, glass, and jewelry created by both students and instructors. Along with other galleries in the Cedros Design District, Hands On Cedros will be open until 8:30pm for a Third Thursday Gallery Night on October 18. (858/847-9827, www.handsoncedros.com)

Thru 12/30: American Viewing Stones And Chinese Woodblock Prints
Two complementary exhibits are featured at Mingei International Museum. (619/239-0003, www.mingei.org)

Thru 12/30: Cerca Series: Iana Quesnell
On view at MCASD’s La Jolla location, artist Iana Quesnell investigates nomadism and temporary living situations, engaging drawing as a mediating tool between her own body and her immediate surroundings. Quesnell’s large pencil and charcoal drawings chart her own movements through a specific territory, narrowing in on the particular coordinates where she settles for longer or shorter periods of time. (858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org)

Thru 1/1/08: Contemporary Israeli Photography
The Ordover Gallery at the San Diego Natural History Museum presents an exhibit that complements Dead Sea Scrolls. Photos showcase the faces of Israel’s founding leaders, children in Torah class, ancient Israeli architecture, and religious rituals. (619/232-3821, www.sdnhm.org)

Thru 1/6/08: Public Privacy: Wendy Richmond’s Surreptitious Cellphone
Artist Wendy Richmond explores how 20th century Americans occupy personal spaces while going about their daily lives in the public eye. Museum of Photographic Arts. (619/238-7559, www.mopa.org)

Thru 1/13/08: Picturing Eden
The exhibition is presented in four sections, with photographs that explore the development and changing styles of the garden and concepts of paradise. Museum of Photographic Arts. (619/238-7559, www.mopa.org)

Thru 5/08: The Beauty Of Use — Mingei International Museum At 30
In commemoration of the museum’s 30th anniversary year, this exhibition features significant objects from many cultures shown in relationships that highlight similarities and differences among them. During three decades of collecting — mainly donations from hundreds of generous friends and some purchases in recent years, Mingei International Museum has formed a collection of art that now comprises 17,000 objects from 141 countries. (619/239-0003, www.mingei.org)

10/1-31: San Diego Watercolor Society’s 27th Annual International Exhibition
This event draws entries from all over the globe, this year totaling over 700 water media paintings. From these, 80 were accepted and will be on display for one month. A First Friday reception will take place on October 5 from 5-8pm. (619/876-4550, www.sdws.org)

10/4: Last Comic Standing Tour
4th & B downtown. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

10/4-6: Spyro Gyra
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)

10/5: Steve Miller Band
Pala Casino Spa & Resort. (877/WIN-PALA, www.palacasino.com)

10/11: Perry Farrell’s Satellite Party
Canes. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

10/12: Concert Of Hope Honoring BB King
Photocharity presents a concert to end youth homelessness featuring BB King, Taj Mahal, Paul Rodgers, Blind Boys of Alabama, Eve Selis, Bill Magee, and more. SDSU Open Air Theatre. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)

10/13: Brian Auger
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/220-TIXS www.ticketmaster.com)

10/14: Pat Benatar With Neil Girarldo
House of Blues San Diego. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

10/15: KCRW Presents Duncan Sheik With Holly Brook
Belly Up Tavern. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

10/16: Meshell Ndegeocello With Guest
Belly Up Tavern. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

10/18-11/11: Jersey Boys
Broadway San Diego presents the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, and how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. San Diego Civic Theatre. (888/937-8995, www.broadwaysd.com)

10/18-12/1: Chasing The Light
Art Expressions Gallery introduces new works by plein air painter Robin Hall and fine art photographer Robert Hansen. Both Hall and Hansen concentrate on the effects of light in their landscapes and architectural images. An opening reception takes place on Thursday, October 18, from 5:30-8:30pm. (858/270-7577, www.artexpressionsgallery.com)

10/20-11/18: Dracula
By Steven Dietz, adapted from the Bram Stoker novel, and playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre. (858/481-2155, www.northcoastrep.org)

10/20-12/29: Lillian Bassman Exhibition
Joseph Bellows Gallery presents an exhibition of fashion photographs by legendary photographer Lillian Bassman. An opening reception takes place on Saturday, October 20, from 5-8pm. (858/456-5620, www.josephbellows.com)

10/26: Eddie Palmieri
Anthology supper club in Little Italy. (619/595-0300, www.anthologysd.com)

10/26: Common Sense With Guest
Belly Up Tavern. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

10/27: Pinback With Guest
Belly Up Tavern. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

10/31: Halloween Heat
80s Heat returns to the Belly Up. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

11/1: Person To Person Tour: Polyphonic Spree And With The Redwalls
Belly Up Tavern. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)

11/3-1/27/08: Everett Gee Jackson/San Diego Modern, 1920-1955
The San Diego Museum of Art presents a major retrospective of the work of Everett Gee Jackson, one of the region’s most important Modernist artists. Gee Jackson/San Diego Modern, 1920-1955 features more than 50 works that span the most significant and productive decades of the artist’s career. (619/232-7931, www.sdmart.org)

11/6: Joe Lovano Quartet
November 6 marks the long-awaited return appearance of the Joe Lovano Quartet, featuring James Weidman on piano, Esperanza Spalding on bass, and Francesco Mela on drums. The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)

11/6-12/23: Cry-Baby
Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker is a rebel with a cause: truth, justice, and rock ’n’ roll. The John Waters cult film gets a theatrical polish in this hilarious new musical. La Jolla Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre. (858/550-1010, www.lajollaplayhouse.org)

11/7: Gin Blossoms
House of Blues San Diego. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

11/16: Kelly Clarkson
Civic Theatre. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)

11/20: Peter Erskine/Alan Pasqua/Dave Carpenter
This concert marks the release of the trio’s latest CD, a program of gorgeous readings of great jazz standards. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)

11/21: Buck O Nine Album Release Show
Belly Up Tavern. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)