"Edmond, the son of Gloucester, comes onstage with an iPod," says Stephanie Robinson, composer for the San Diego Repertory's production of King Lear. Robinson, a Ph.D. candidate in music composition at UCSD, has been working …
March 24, 2005
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Stories by Michael Hemmingson
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"Edmond, the Son of Gloucester, Comes Onstage with an iPod"
Mermaids and Invites Only
"I'd have the biggest, most rockin' music collection of any of your desert island castaways."
March 24, 2005
Former Oceanside Resident
Former Oceanside resident and El Camino High School graduate Denise Richards is seeking a divorce from actor Charlie Sheen, whom she married on June 15, 2002. Court papers filed Wednesday, March 2, cite "irreconcilable differences." …
March 17, 2005
Static-X Has Parted Ways With Guitarist Tripp Eisen
"Static-X has parted ways with guitarist Tripp Eisen, effective immediately," states a February 28 press release from the heavy-metal band. The last time the band played San Diego was September 1, 2004, headlining at Soma. …
March 17, 2005
A Stabbing Occurred at the California Theatre
A stabbing occurred at the California Theatre, 1122 Fourth Avenue, on the night of February 17, according to the San Diego police department's "Watch Commander's Log" (Incident #37682). The victim was the venue's 50-year-old custodian …
March 10, 2005
Cordless Radio Headsets that Retail for $1100
Cordless radio headsets that retail for $1100 from Muzak (located on Chesapeake Drive in San Diego) have been popping up on eBay, according to a grand theft report (#05-005711) filed by San Diego police officer …
March 10, 2005
San Diego Police Officer L. Carincross
San Diego police officer L. Carincross took a vandalism report (#05-006601) on January 30 from Francisco Arementa, whose company, Standing Room Mobile Entertainment, is hired by Moondoggie's in Pacific Beach. "He parked his vehicle in …
March 3, 2005
It's a Crime: Verbatim Police Reports
ARMED ROBBERY Location: 9310 Kearny Mesa Road Time/Date: 12:30 p.m. on 1/30/05 Investigation: I was dispatched to the Best Western Motel on an armed robbery that had just occurred. The radio message said the suspects …
March 3, 2005
Of a Certain Maturity
"Kids in the clubs are shaking their assets to prerecorded music. I believe they call that progress."
March 3, 2005
Kuumba Fest 2005
Kuumba Fest 2005 at the San Diego Rep's Lyceum starts tomorrow, Friday, February 25, and includes African drumming, jazz, and gospel. "Each band is made up of young people," says Daj-ahn Blevins, artistic director. Acts …
February 24, 2005
"Security Wouldn't Even Let Residents In With Their Own Alcohol"
"Security wouldn't even let residents in with their own alcohol. You had to buy it from an inside vendor," said one Gaslamp Quarter denizen. February 8 was the first downtown Fat Tuesday where -- reminiscent …
February 17, 2005
We're changing our name to 'Rouge'
"We're changing our name to 'Rouge,' like Moulin Rouge," says Tori, a waitress at the Hustler Bar-Grill on 624 E Street. There is a rumor that the restaurant is being shut down due to pressure …
February 17, 2005
John Zorn
John Zorn has never played San Diego. The jazz sax player seldom comes out west, so his appearance at the Disney Redcat Center in downtown Los Angeles was a rare appearance outside New York. The …
February 17, 2005
M-Theory Music
M-Theory Music, on 30th Street, was robbed on January 30 at 4:15 p.m., according to San Diego police report #05-006701. The responding officers spoke to cashier Chealsea Marie Daniel, who was the only employee in …
February 10, 2005
"The Streets of Downtown Aren't Safe Without the Blues."
"The streets of downtown aren't safe without the blues." A man carrying a case of Budweiser shouted this out to bluesman Pete Kelly. Kelly has been a street musician in the Gaslamp for 13 years, …
February 10, 2005
"I First Saw Stomp! When I Was 14"
"I first saw Stomp! when I was 14," Chris Rubio tells me via phone from New Haven, Connecticut. He is in the current production, which will be coming to San Diego in March. "I started …
February 3, 2005
Former San Diegan Michelle Williams
Former San Diegan Michelle Williams can be seen on the CD cover to the soundtrack of Wim Wenders's latest movie, Land of Plenty, but she won't be viewable in North American theaters anytime soon because …
February 3, 2005
You Wanna Know the Truth
"You wanna know the truth about all these clubgoing people?" says Zippy the cabdriver as he takes me deep into the Gaslamp on New Year's Eve. "I always do." Zippy is a short guy in …
January 20, 2005
There Was a Long Line to Get Into L5
There was a long line to get into L5 for its last hours on New Year's Eve. Two cops stood by and made sure no one got too rambunctious. One guy was yelling on his …
January 13, 2005
"Twenty-Two Days [in Jail] is Not Enough Punishment
"Twenty-two days [in jail] is not enough punishment," said prosecutor Jeff Dort to the court. "I'm not an advocate for breaking up families, but I am an advocate for the rights and safety of children." …
January 13, 2005
The Associated Press' "Overlooked Albums" of 2004
The Associated Press' "Overlooked Albums" of 2004 includes a review of Tom Waits's Real Gone which says the one-time local nightclub doorman "has thrown dice in the back alleys of music before and found perfection …
January 13, 2005
"You Need to Get Laid!"
"You need to get laid!" a drunk woman in a tube top yelled at the police officer arresting her. "What's the matter, haven't you ever [expletive] a pretty girl before?" This is according to SDPD …
January 13, 2005
"My Back's Still Killing Me"
"My back's still killing me," says jazz wind instrumentalist Chris Klich, "but I managed to mow the lawn today." "What happened to your back?" "Threw it out...and rather than getting better, as it usually does, …
January 6, 2005
Tristan Prettyman
Tristan Prettyman, the 22-year-old Del Mar native, signed with Virgin in early October and will start recording next month. She won "Best Acoustic" at this year's San Diego Music Awards, and her song "My Love" …
December 30, 2004
"DJ Monk Had a Stalker"
"DJ Monk had a stalker," said an L5 club regular. December 11, around 1 a.m. at the downtown venue, a fan during DJ Monk's set (dubbed "Hallucination Before Christmas") was having a little trouble with …
December 30, 2004
After a Long Day of Nasty Politics and "Bubble Trouble"
After a long day of nasty politics and "bubble trouble," what kind of music does District 6 San Diego city councilmember Donna Frye relax to when she goes home? "Jazz," she says. "And what do …
December 23, 2004
The Bands Have Just Submitted Lyric Sheets
"The bands have just submitted lyric sheets to the board of directors, to make sure there's no cussing and stuff." Lori Wiar is the coordinator of First Night Escondido's third annual Battle of the Bands, …
December 23, 2004
Racist Hate Music
"Racist hate music is being distributed to your brothers and sisters and children in schools in San Diego," writes Eddie Phanichkul in a November 19 post at SanDiegoblog.com, but there's no clear evidence that this …
December 9, 2004
The World Beat Center
The World Beat Center was burglarized on the morning of November 14, according to police report #04-070392. "I was flagged down by citizens who reported a transient-looking male smashing into a building near the La …
December 2, 2004
A Few Months Ago, DJ Jesse Henderson
A few months ago, DJ Jesse Henderson was walking down J Street in the Gaslamp when he was jumped by three sailors. "There were these two guys hanging around a parked car," Jesse said, "and …
December 2, 2004
Yesterday's Lemons
'All of my music is in playlists - the album format is out, as far as I am concerned.'
November 24, 2004
"Peter Fonda is One of My Uncle's Best Friends"
"Peter Fonda is one of my uncle's best friends, so I've known him all my life," says Bridget Brigette when asked about the photos of her and the famous actor on her website, "and I …
November 24, 2004
A Reoccurring Nightmare
'The record is ending and you go to your crate and it's the "weird crate" you leave at home with the Frank Sinatra records.'
November 18, 2004
"This is the First Time We've Done This"
"This is the first time we've done this," said Chuck Perrin, manager of Dizzy's, a jazz club in East Village. The Seventh Avenue venue -- a converted trucking warehouse that was also the first stage …
November 11, 2004
Word Around the Downtown Club Scene
Word around the downtown club scene is that Tuesday nights at Martini Ranch's upstairs space, the Shaker Room, may discontinue because of a lack of patronage. (The Shaker Room is usually open Wednesdays through Sundays, …
November 11, 2004
"There Won't Be an Interview, I'm Afraid"
"There won't be an interview, I'm afraid," said Courtney Love's stage manager, a young, skinny guy with glasses named Chris. I met him and my photographer at the west-side entrance of 4th & B on …
November 4, 2004