PTE-Hope, Inc. Multicultural Fair PHOTO: ANA PINES

The PTE-Hope, Inc. Multicultural Fair, held April 27, was sponsored by the City of San Diego and San Diego County Board of Supervisors Greg Cox and Ron Roberts. Ms. Philippines National 2013, founder and executive director of Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence and SDSU student Kristen Paruginog, was one of the emcees of the event.

We enjoyed watching several entertainers including Lei Oleander Dancers (Kayla Pimentel, Alex Honore and Jenna Narvoza), “Year of the Snake” Chinese dancers and 9-year-old Melanie Jimenez, a Hollywood Bowl finalist winner who mesmerized the audience with her rendition of Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire.” The Janeiro’s Models showed off Biblia Fashion’s evening wear and custom jewelry during the fashion show. The 3 Wise Men DJs provided music for the event.

National City Mayor Ron Morrison made an appearance and spoke about the diversity of the city and how it’s important to explore each other’s similarities. PTE-Hope, Inc. is a multi-cultural partnership of the federal government and the state of California to promote community awareness, cooperation, hope, unity, respect and goodwill among various cultural and ethnic groups.

Mariachi Festival

Mariachi Festival PHOTO: ANA PINES

A few minutes away from PTE’s event, at Pepper Park, was the 1st annual Mariachi Festival and Competition, sponsored by The National City Chamber of Commerce and HMC Advertising. We watched several groups from all over the country and Mexico as they competed for $4,000 in cash prizes. Jointly organized as the 11th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival, it provided entertainment for families to come together and celebrate San Diego’s heritage through mariachi music and traditional ballet folkloric dancing. There were also merchant booths, arts and crafts, food vendors, music displays and a children’s area.

Adams Avenue Unplugged

Robin Henkel PHOTO: ANA PINES

Previously known as the Adams Avenue Roots Festival, this free music festival, held the weekend of April 27-28, stretched along Adams Avenue, from University Heights on the west end, through Normal Heights, and into parts of Kensington on the east. The performances were staged in restaurants, bars, coffee houses and galleries, as well as four community stages along the avenue. Many of the Unplugged performers played multiple sets, which allowed attendees to catch their favorite artists while enjoying the neighborhoods’ many distinctive shops. We watched Robin Henkel’s performance at the Adams Avenue Park stage. We found a perfect spot in the shade to enjoy the sounds of jazz and blues. It reminded us of when we were back home in New York City and watched summer concerts in Central Park and Prospect Park.

Circo de Mayo

Circo De Mayo PHOTO: ANA PINES

Circo de Mayo, held May 4, was a full-length showcase performance from the DLP Aerial Fitness students at SD United Training Center. DLP Aerial Fitness students learn a variety of acrobatic and aerial disciplines from professional performers. The show featured aerial silks, aerial lyra, aerial hammock, static trapeze and contortion. It felt like we were watching the next generation of Cirque du Soleil performers. The training center offers gymnastics, cirque/acro, cheer/tumbling, parkour, tricking and break dancing classes.

In collaboration with San Diego Film Festival (SDFF), At-HOM Furniture hosted the Lights, Action, Red Carpet event, during Kettner Nights in Little Italy Friday, April 12. The event gave visitors a chance to speak with representatives from the festival, enjoy wine and finger foods, and peruse the contemporary and vintage furniture and accessories. SDFF offered memberships valued at $55 to all that stopped by.

SDFF is looking to position itself as “a major force and destination independent film festival set in one of the world’s finest cities.” We’re looking forward to this year’s festival which takes place Oct 2-6. For more information go to sdfilmfest.com

Fashion Week San Diego

Fashion Week San Diego (FWSD) held its first press conference for this year’s upcoming show, at Roppongi’s restaurant in La Jolla April 15. Director and founder Allison Andrews spoke to local San Diego media representatives and bloggers about the event, which will include three nights of runway shows at the Broadway Pier downtown, expanding from the one runway show in 2012.

Models provided a peek into each of the 26 emerging designer’s unique aesthetics and talent by showcasing looks from their past collections. Cocktails and appetizers were served as the press, designers and models mingled to the beats of Sleeping Giant Music’s DJ Hevrock.

FWSD 2013 will be held September 30-October 6.

Army of Broken Toys

Eliza Rickman PHOTO: ANA PINES

Boston-based phenomenon Walter Sickert and The Army of Broken Toys performed at the Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center April 16. These darlings of the steampunk world cleave audience’s hearts with rollicking apocalyptic waltzes and powerful rock ballads. They share music with everyone who has ever been broken. The Army of Broken Toys offers a unique rock club run away to the circus experience. We also enjoyed Eliza Rickman’s performance, which included a toy piano and an accordion. Her voice along with her toy piano is enthralling and quirky.

Federal Jazz Project

Federal Jazz Project, conceived and written by Richard Montoya with original jazz score and onstage jazz band led by trumpet virtuoso Gilbert Castellanos and directed by Sam Woodhouse made its world premiere at San Diego Rep. It was thrilling to see the amazing tap dance percussionist Claudia Gomez as “Tijuana” and classical guitarist and songstress Lorraine Castellanos as “San Diego.” This is the finale of San Diego REP’s 37th season and will be onstage until May 5. If you love jazz, don’t miss this musical journey.

K. Rose PHOTO: ANA PINES

We made our way to Dinah Shore Thursday April 4. Our first stop was the opening night party at Zelda’s Nightclub and it was packed. You could barely move around without bumping into someone. We got to see K. Rose perform her hit “Sleep When I’m Dead.” We decided to get some air after her performance and there she was signing autographs and taking photos with some lucky fans.

The next morning Kim’s work brought us back to San Diego. Luckily we had our white outfits ready for the highly anticipated White Party. We arrived at the Zoso Hotel a little after midnight and the crowd was still strong. We went to the main dance floor and caught some of the dancers mingling with the crowd. There was an outside patio where others went to chat it up and/or light up. The outfits ranged from cut off shorts to some people who were dressed to the nines. We then made it to the Latin dance floor and danced to bachata, salsa and some reggaeton. In our opinion, it’s the sexier night of the five dance events.

Saturday we brought out the bathing suits for our first dip in the pool at the Zoso Hotel. Play Boy School, Life Down Here and Love’s Darling performed while the ladies danced, tanned and sipped their drinks. When the performances were over we saw a few girls in the pool trying to get their friends on their shoulders. Once they succeeded they began to have chicken fights. They didn’t last more than a few seconds. Needless to say it was fun to watch from the sidelines.

Love’s Darling PHOTO: ANA PINES

Saturday night’s party took place at the Palm Springs Convention Center. There was a Monte Carlo theme that included a celebrity poker tournament where 100 percent of the proceeds were given to the HRC. A red carpet was set-up for the celesbian arrivals. There was also a performance by Karmin and Leah LaBelle.

Pool party PHOTO: ANA PINES

Sunday we made our way to the front of the main stage at Here TV and Shewired’s Wet and Wild Pool Party for a 4 p.m. performance by international superstar Diana King. She introduced her girlfriend and spoke a little bit about how happy she’s been since coming out. You could see the glee in her eyes as she looked at the crowd of proud and out women. A sight she could never see in her native country, Jamaica. A sound interruption occurred during her last song and one of her most popular, “Shy Guy” so she pretended. King started smiling and surprised everyone when she began to sing the song as “Shy Girl, a remix.”

Diana King PHOTO: KIM RESCATE

The closing party at the Zoso Hotel was a wonderful way to end the five-day event. There was a performance by Katy Tiz, dancers on four platforms, and a great crowd. However, one of the funnier moments of our night was finding a flask in the upstairs couches. The owners stared and whispered at each other but didn’t dare ask us for it. When they left we moved to the other side of the couch and sure enough they came back a few minutes later. They sat down pretended to stretch and grabbed it from the “secret” spot.

Katy Tiz PHOTO: KIM RESCATE

Prior to driving back Monday morning we drove by the Forever Marilyn statue on Palm Canyon and Tahquitz Canyon. The sculpture created by American artist and Johnson & Johnson heir Seward Johnson is 26 ft. tall and was previously located at Pioneer Court along famed Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

This was our second time attending Dinah Shore and certainly not our last. Seeing women everywhere holding hands without fear, taking over the entire hotel, dancing, laughing and toasting to a wonderful time, it’s an experience you’ll be sure to dream about after.

Women’s Fest Photo: Ana Pines

Women’s Fest expressions

Women’s Fest was a day-long festival of workshops, entertainment and resources for all women and their allies. The goal of this free festival was to empower women to cultivate new skills, celebrate creativity, build a stronger community and gain access to essential resources.

We shared two tables with our friend Sonia to display and sell merchandise. When we arrived in the morning, there were bagels and pastries in the front patio available for everyone. There were donation boxes scattered so people could donate whatever they could.

The first half of the day focused on exploring body politics within the San Diego queer women’s community. There were workshops held that explored practices and policies through which powers of society regulate queer women’s bodies. The workshops reflected ways to reclaim and emphasize power and authority over our own bodies.

Our tables were in the main auditorium where the performances took place so we got a great view of the talent that participated. We snuck out toward the end to take a photograph representing our empowerment. Painters, sculptors, performance artists, poets and musicians filled The Center with their works and expressions!

Nights out at Rich’s

Thursday, we took our friends visiting from New York to Rich’s ladies night Repent, put on by 607 Productions. We got there with more than an hour left to the night. The music was blasting and the crowd was dancing. The last time we went to Repent it took place in the front dance floor. This time it was in the back with the newly renovated bar where the VIP area used to be. We caught the last performance of the night on the platform next to the DJ.

Rich’s Photo: Ana Pines

Friday night brought us to Rich’s again. Instead of a reunion, it was a goodbye to our friend Lance who’s moving to Virginia. He rented a party bus, as it was also his boyfriend’s birthday. We partied inside the bus for a few hours as the driver took us all around Balboa Park, Gaslamp and Seaport Village. There was music and dancing, and fortunately, nobody fell off the pole. We arrived at Rich’s around 11 p.m. There was some confusion over at the VIP section so we were moved from the couches to the second floor booth above the DJ.

It was great to look down and see everyone dancing and having a good time. If you want a private party you’ll want to check out the second floor. The drinks and mixers are brought up and continually refilled. We even had a private bartender mix us drinks.

When the time came we said our goodbyes and the party bus took us home.

A Bit o’ Burlesque presents Cabaret Boheme

Founded in February 2007, this dance company delivers sassy, saucy and humorous entertainment. The collective experience of the 15 company members covers most dance genres; from ballet to ballroom to belly dance to musical theatre, with many styles in between; all of which they are able to incorporate into this delightfully saucy cabaret show.

The event took place at Tango Del Rey, a Spanish palace-inspired venue in Pacific Beach. The upstairs VIP area provided an unobstructed view of the performances. We received a signed photograph of the company as a little keepsake and chocolates.

There were some technical difficulties that delayed the show but the audience took it in their stride as they ordered drinks and food. The waitress was attentive and the host apologized several times. She encouraged the audience to cheer for the performers to come out and also had a raffle which helped deflect from the minor mishaps.

A Bit o’ Burlesque Photo: Ana Pines

The Can Can girls turned up the heat in Fever and made the audience laugh silly with John and Marsha. Aside from the company members, they had several of their Bombshells-in-Training of The Bombshell Experience perform.

The costumes were beautiful and the performances were very entertaining. In between, the only man in the company, serenaded the crowd with cabaret songs.

The mix of dance, song and comedy made for a nice Sunday night out.

BIL 2013 Photo: Ana Pines

The BIL 2013 conference was held in the heart of downtown Long Beach with an attendance of more than 600 people. If TED is mostly attended by over-achieving baby boomers, BIL caters to the boomer’s tech-crazed offspring. It is a quirky, populist unconference that’s named from the 1989 science-fiction comedy film, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

It is fully participant driven, featuring an eclectic mix of technologists, scientists, artists, hackers and those with a passion for community awareness, social entrepreneurship and innovation. The unconference emerged from a community of people who aspire to change the world for the better. BILders are the everyman thinkers and doers of today and for tomorrow.

The speakers share ideas, talk about problems that need solving and discoveries that the community is excited about; Jason Dunn talked about technological advancements with a primary focus on manufacturing in space and Craig Montuori enlightened the room about the difficulty of acquiring visas for foreign entrepreneurs that are planning startups. We left inspired and a bit more hopeful of what’s to come.

There were several sponsors including Bulletproof Coffee. Supposedly, it’s coffee that is as free of mycotoxins as possible. We tried the Upgraded Coffee with grass-fed butter which added a lot of texture making the drink very creamy and thick. It gave us an energy boost that made driving back to San Diego in traffic more manageable.

The Mountaintop

One of our favorite plays of the year (so far) is San Diego REP’s rendition of Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop. The play took us on an emotional roller coaster by going into Hall’s imaginative re-creation of what might have went through Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s head on the final night of his life.

Dr. King was assassinated April 4, 1968 while standing on the balcony of his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. After delivering his I’ve Been to the Mountaintop speech, Dr. King retires to his room and calls the front desk for room service. After some discussion he finally gets his request, “just a coffee”. The maid, Camae, arrives quickly and states that it’s on the house for one of the hotels favorite guests. Dr. King flirts, smokes, cusses and calls his wife in the middle of it all.

He talks about his devotion to God and his hope for the people. At times he expresses exasperation such as when a march turned into a riot and people grabbed “free” television sets from closed businesses.

The audience gets to see him as a complex man and not a martyr. Camae tells him it’s her first day on the job but stays to smoke, drink and flirt back. She’s in no rush to leave as the audience anticipates where all this is leading and she finally reveals who she is.

You’ll have to go watch to find out. The play moved us to tears and made us laugh out loud, sometimes simultaneously. The acting was superb and lighting design impeccable. A production not to be missed.

The Mountaintop will be showing until March 31 at the Lyceum Stage. For more information and tickets go to sdrep.org

Family Winemakers of California annual tasting

The Family Winemakers of California’s annual tasting event returned to San Diego for a fifth year. This was their 23rd year hosting the event that was formed in 1991 and first held at the Sheraton Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

There were more than 700 wines to choose from at this event, once only open to members of the trade. In addition to your general ticket you could purchase access to the Reserve Area where you could taste fine wines that retail at $75 or more.

Family Winemakers of California annual tasting Photo: Kim Rescate

The variety of brands, types and business size makes this one of the most comprehensive annual tasting events for wine lovers. Upon entering you pick up a wine glass and a “spit” cup (aka. big red cup). It’s recommended that you have an action plan before arriving to an event like this so you don’t get overwhelmed. We stuck mostly with dessert and rosé wine selections which worked out deliciously well.

Kicking yourself for missing this event at Del Mar? Get a list of all the participants and find out about upcoming tastings by going to familywinemakers.org

Douglas Spain and Kim Rescate Photo: Ana Pines

We attended the Latino Film Festival media kickoff party Feb. 21 at Gang Kitchen in Downtown San Diego. We saw many familiar faces from the community and one that we recognized but couldn’t pinpoint from where. He started charging his phone behind us and then it hit us that it was Douglas Spain. He’s one of the actors in But, I’m a Cheerleader, Star Maps and the list goes on and on. His movie, Mission Park, will be showing March 11 and March 15.

Mission Park tells the story of four friends who grow up together but whose lives take different paths as they reach adulthood, ultimately pitting them against each other on opposite sides of the law. It’s one of the first films to be completely shot and filmed in San Antonio, Texas.

Spain will be in attendance for the March 11 screening along with cast members Jeremy Ray Valdez, Walter Perez, Manny Rey and William Rothhaar together with director Bryan Ramirez. You won’t want to miss it.

Opening night for the festival is March 7. We’ll be checking out Filly Brown starring the late Jenni Rivera and recommend Violeta Went to Heaven; a moving portrait of Chile’s famed folk musician and poet Violeta Parra which we saw at Sundance last year. Operación E and Mariachi Gringo will also be playing followed by the opening night party at Café Sevilla. The festival runs through March 17 at the Digiplex Mission Valley Cinemas at Hazard Center.

San Diego Tet Festival

The eighth annual San Diego Tet Festival (Feb. 15), the Vietnamese New Year celebration, moved from its usual home at Balboa Park to Mira Mesa this year. The festival’s attendance is about 20,000 each year. There was plenty of fun stuff for the whole family to enjoy such as carnival rides, games, lion dancing, firecrackers and many offerings of food. There were also entertainment programs throughout the day. We didn’t win any prizes so it is a good thing we go for the food and entertainment.

The festival is organized yearly by the Vietnamese-American Youth Alliance (V.A.Y.A), an organization that promotes youth leadership, cultural awareness, social awareness and community development for Vietnamese-American youth.

San Diego Tet Festival Photo: Ana Pines

Once Upon a Wedding

We always wanted to attend an interactive show so when we saw that Once Upon a Wedding presented by Laughing Tree Productions was occurring at The Lafayette Hotel we were intrigued. Not only for the show but to see it at the hotel that has pool parties we hear about all summer.

Once we entered we were greeted by the bride’s mother and took a photo with the groom who let us know that if we were interested he still wasn’t married! We were then seated for the ceremony where a panicked wedding planner received a phone call that the bridesmaids and groomsmen were stuck in Mexico where they partied the night before.

This is when members of the audience were plucked up to replace the “missing people”. Ana was selected as a bridesmaid and walked down the aisle with an older gentleman that wouldn’t let go of her arm. The participants took their roles very seriously and even consoled the groom when the bride became infuriated when she noticed she didn’t recognize any of the people in her wedding party.

With no wedding occurring they couldn’t let the food go to waste. The audience made their way down to the reception area for dinner, wedding cake, coffee service, champagne toast and more interactive entertainment.

The family goes looking for the bride and finds her crying under the table. They convince her to go on with the wedding as the audience enjoys their meal. The bride is upset because her parents are fighting and most marriages end in divorce according to the Web site she’s been consulting on her smartphone. Everyone eventually makes up and the new couple invites audience members to come up and renew their vows alongside them.

It was a fun evening full of music, dancing and hilarious interactive entertainment for all ages.

Hillcrest Farmers’ Market PHOTO: KIM RESCATE

We’re excited to share the news with you that we were selected as one of America’s Most Captivating Couples of 2013 in GO! Magazine’s The Love Issue. We’re proud to be able to represent San Diego and show the world that love and commitment has no boundaries.

Farmer’s Market

The Hillcrest Farmers’ Market opens every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We had never been even when we lived three blocks away! It consists of 140 vendors offering a wide variety of locally grown in-season fruit, produce, gifts, arts and crafts and flowers. Just about every booth gives out samples of their product(s). There’s also a great selection of ethnic food in the cooked food area. It’s a great place to get together with friends and try different things. There are vendors selling gift items too. Parking’s pretty crazy so come early. We were lucky enough to be able to park at a friend’s house a block away. It’s a great way to spend your Sunday and feel good about all the people and local businesses that you’re supporting.

One Billion Rising rally at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park PHOTO: ANA PINES

‘Tasty Truck Tuesday’

With year-round perfect weather, San Diego offers up a bevy of delicious gourmet options on the food truck front. Every Tuesday night from 6-9 p.m. at 34th and Adams is Tasty Truck Tuesday. Singles, couples, families and even some four-legged family members were there to check out what the trucks have to offer. You can choose one, two, or three different cuisines to enjoy. Your choices are not constricted here! We had a Fat Tuesday meal consisting of catfish, shrimp and French fries from Pearson’s and beef brisket with collard greens and blue cheese coleslaw from Slow Cal BBQ. There’s a band that plays live music near the entrance and a DJ in the back, where some seating is provided. It’s a foodie event that should not be missed. It’s a free all-ages event and, yes, they do take credit cards. For more info visit sdfoodtrucks.com and check out the food trucks for yourself next Tuesday.

‘One Billion Rising’

Feb. 14 we took part in this global event demanding an end to violence toward women and girls. The theatre company, InnerMission Productions, coordinated the San Diego participation with involvement from Eveoke Dance Theatre and many others. We attended the community rally at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. The event was inspiring and emotional as speakers talked about forgiveness, standing together and demanded a call to action to those that remain passive. It’s incomprehensible that statistically 1 in 3 women will be raped and or beaten in her lifetime. On their Web site you can view videos from around the world in which collectively, women and men used dance to express their solidarity. We can all create change by working together. Women are your mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, girlfriends, wives, cousins, teachers, co-workers, grandmothers, aunts. It’s time to say enough is enough and stand up.

Pole Show LA 2013 PHOTO: ANA PINES

Pole Show LA 2013 took place at 333 Live in downtown Los Angeles. The setup allowed a great view from any seat in the house. Four 18-foot poles were set-up in the middle of the club with seats surrounding it and balcony seating. First, let’s talk about the show.

The show was presented by the pole dance studio BeSpun. The show included performers from around the world such as Cleo the Hurricane and Estee Zakar. They put on a great event with a variety of dance, acrobatics and aerial art. There is no doubt in our minds that these women can kick ass.

They demonstrated incredible athleticism and artistic presence on the stage. Of course, the added element of sexiness made the performances that much more interesting to watch. The audience, which consisted of mostly women, applauded wildly after each display of agility, strength, and sensuality. It was nice to see these things celebrated in women. The service at the venue, on the other hand, was definitely lacking.

One of the perks that they mention with the VIP table is that it afforded us the privilege of getting table service. Our server, Susan L., was, let’s just say, unprofessional. When we first got there she told us that we could just go to our table and she’d be there in a bit. She came back to the VIP area several times but did not glance in our direction even when serving the table right next to us.

The show started and we still did not receive service so we finally had to flag her down when she was heading down the stairs. When we gave our drink orders, she said, “That’s it? You’re only having one each?” Which was an odd question because why would we order more than one round without finishing the first? After a few minutes, she finally explained that if we “only” bought one round of drinks we’d have to pay cash, but if we bought two we could pay with a credit card. She told us the drinks were $12 each, so we ordered two rounds.

Sad to say, that it just kept going downhill from there. She forgot our orders, then brought the two rounds at once to save herself the trip of coming back twice to our table and to top it off the receipt she wanted us to sign wasn’t itemized nor did it have the total amount.

Pole Show LA 2013 PHOTO: ANA PINES

After 10 minutes, she came back and told us that her manager had lost the receipt and needed another one signed. This receipt was itemized and had a different amount than what she had quoted us. It turned out each drink is only $10! Perhaps she was pocketing the extra $2? So she’s basically getting $4 tip for each drink. We checked in on Foursquare and a past guest comment popped up, it seems like this is a practice on regular days as well.

You’d think that they would have had their best staff on call for these $500 VIP tables. What’s unfortunate is that we would have ordered more cocktails if the service had been better.

In contrast, our experience the next day at Candi Samples’ community appreciation party was heartwarming. The bartenders during the event, one of them is Joe, served great drinks for a reasonable price in a timely manner with a smile on their faces and, there were no receipt mishaps! We got there just in time to see Raven Lunatic, Celeste W Starr and Candi Samples perform.

Raven Lunatic brought us luck when she made sure that everyone had a free raffle ticket for special prizes that were being given away between performances.

Tara Hole called out the numbers and winners chose from a set of wrapped up gifts on the stage. We each received the perfect gift, a journal (Ana) and a pendant necklace (Kim).

The community camaraderie we saw at both of these events made for a great celebration of Ana’s birthday.

In flight over East San Diego

Flight lesson No. 1

Kim: “Push the stick forward and the houses get bigger. Pull the stick back and the houses get smaller. That’s all there is to flying”, or so I’ve heard. I was about to find out during my first flight. I was a little nervous and had to remind myself that I’ve done bungee-jumping and skydiving so this one should be a breeze because this time, I am the one in control.

The first challenge was taxiing. Unlike a car, where you steer with your hands and control speed with your feet, in a plane you steer with your feet and control speed with your hands. This took some getting used to.

We flew over East San Diego and began our maneuvers. We went over the basics: straight and level flight, making shallow turns, climbs and descents and trimming the nose (there’s a little wheel or crank I had to adjust in between myself and the instructor to set up back pressure and make flying easier). I had to keep my right hand on the throttle and hold the yoke with my left hand at all times, keeping in mind the combination of three axes in flight and adjusting for them. For example, when banking, it not only turns from side to side, it also rotates horizontally which in turn changed our height. I had to work the pedals, turn the yoke and had to pull it or push it.

Landing the plane was a little awkward. Since I am fairly short, I could hardly see over the instrument panel. When the instructor pointed out the airport, I didn’t see it until much later. I was only able to point the plane to the right direction because of the heading indicator. We landed very smoothly and rolled the plane in its parking spot. When we drove away, I could hardly believe I flew a plane! I definitely want to do it again.

San Diego Restaurant Week

Ana: Kim took me out for a pre-birthday dinner during San Diego Restaurant Week at Bleu Bohème for some French cuisine. They provided a pre-selected menu that was sure to please any palette. We had La Charcuterie (smoked meats), and Soupe à l’Oignon Gratinée for appetizers, the Boeuf Bourguignon and Filet de “Roi” Saumon for our main entrees and Profiteroles and Crêpe à la Crème Brulée for dessert. All washed down with a glass of wine. My official birthday is this upcoming Saturday, Jan. 26 so make sure to ‘holla at yo girls’ if you see us around. Drinks welcomed.

South Bay Drive-In

Brrr, baby it’s cold outside … so why not snuggle with your honey at the South Bay Drive-In? A fun and cheap alternative to the regular movie theaters. You can see two first-run movies for only $7. The concession is not pricey but you can bring popcorn, beverages or even a take-out dinner. We brought blankets, snacks, cranked up the volume and settled in for a perfect date night. They don’t take plastic, so make sure to bring cash.

Snow Valley

When it comes to most things in life you never really know what you’re going to get. This is very much the case with the snowboard resorts in Southern California. With the commute ranging from 2-3 hours, it’s hard to be certain of the weather ahead. We eagerly drove to the slopes and joined the crowd of snow-thirsty shredders to experience the fresh powder. The gnarly, yet epic weather brought in sketchy driving conditions. We weren’t allowed to pass the checkpoint without tire chains. We turned back to buy them at a store in Highland for 65 percent less than they were offering near the resort.

Once we arrived at Snow Valley, we decided to try the “next level” trail. We’ve been hitting the bunny slope for several years but after nearly colliding with a group of adult snowboarder learners, it’s time to move on.

Young learners adapt quickly but adults tend to be too afraid to fall. So instead of falling on their bottoms when they feel out of control they’re more likely to expect the other riders to get out of the way which results in a “wipe-out” or worse a “yard sale”.

At Lift 13 we met Ed. He looks a little bit like Santa Claus and has a friendly personality to match. He told us that not only should we move on from Lift 6 but we’re going to wish we had sooner. And boy was he right! The powder was softer and less crowded since the run is wider. We feel that this resort has the most helpful operators. They pay attention to riders that are nervous, slow down the lift when necessary and give instructions to get off when needed.

Snow Valley is located in Running Springs, only 2.5 hours away from San Diego. It is one of the oldest and largest ski resorts in the San Bernardino National Forest. It has 12 lifts, 29 runs and terrain parks including The Edge, Park Avenue Progression Park and Hideout Jib Park. It’s a fantastic resort with trails for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.

Rockin’ with the girls

We attended the Girls Gone Band holiday dance Dec. 16 at Club 1202. The event was held to benefit Being Alive San Diego. Lead singer Melanie Peters rocked the house and brought the ladies (and several men) to their feet.

Unfortunately, our invisible cloaks activated when we went to the bar. We were standing next to the one woman that was ordering drinks and somehow when she left we became invisible. The bartender proceeded to have a conversation with a colleague (even pointing to someone directly behind us), counted the register and served customers that came way after us. We decided to spend our hard-earned money somewhere else and left.

We look forward to seeing Girls Gone Band’s next performance, hopefully at venues that treat all their customers well.

Flight school

Ana gave me (Kim) a flight lesson as a birthday present. I took the ground lesson on the use of the flight controls during the weekend. My instructor went into great detail about the Basic Six set, also known as a “six pack”. It was a great learning experience. I cannot wait to fly the plane next week! Make sure to read our column for details.

Peace out!

We hope 2013 brings happiness and peace to everyone. Stay positive! And treat others the way you’d like to be treated. We ran into our fair share of rude people last year. No one goes out to have a bad time so don’t be that person that ruins their night. Keep smiling; you make a difference in someone’s life whether you know it or not.

A quick hello or a door held can ignite someone’s faith in humanity. To our faithful readers, we hope you’ve been inspired to try something new with us. We hope you come along with us as we bring you more adventures in 2013.

SCENE OUT

BY KIM RESCATE AND ANA PINES

Ice Elves at 'Chill'

Walking down the street we noticed everyone had brought out his or her coats, hats, boots and shorts? Oh yes, it’s finally winter in San Diego. It’s that magical time where Californians can choose surfboard or snowboard or both in the same day.

There’s also a unique opportunity to experience what it would be like to live in your freezer this season, which we were really excited to check out. The Ice Kingdom at Chill in Long Beach presented by the Queen Mary. It’s the only event of its kind on the West Coast.

Upon entering you’re provided a long blue parka with a hoodie to keep you warm as temperatures drop to 9 degrees inside. Two million pounds of ice were used to create a magical 13,000 square feet of ice sculptures including a castle, ice

Queen Mary at 'Chill'

cave, Santa’s Toyland, penguins, a Nativity scene and the Queen Mary ship which contains a small slide. The details that went into each sculpture will be sure to delight you.

You may want to bring a pair of gloves with you because the parkas don’t contain pockets. We also recommend bringing a small tissue in your gloves so that you can wipe your iPhones and camera lenses due to the condensation that will occur from going from a cold environment to a warm environment.

Afterward we had a quick thrill ice tubing. The 100-foot slide brought us back to childhood when speed was queen! We then headed to the Holiday Village where you can buy unique decorations, reindeer ears and take your photo with Santa. He assured us that we’re not on the naughty list.

It doesn’t end there, there’s also a 6,500 square foot ice rink and a small food court where you can grab a quick bite in between. It’s truly a magical way to celebrate the holidays with the whole family and will be open until Jan. 6, 2013.

As an extra bonus every ticket bought that day allowed us to board The Queen Mary too. In its time The Queen Mary was considered one of the most luxurious and technologically advanced ocean liners. It was also used as a World War II transport ship.

If you’ve never been on a cruise this is a great way to explore. You can also book a room for the night but you might not want to after reading about its paranormal history.

Voted one of the top ten “Most Haunted Places in America” by Time magazine we couldn’t leave without taking the Ghosts and Legends tour. We went to the “first class” pool where wet footprints were often found even though the pool had been drained for years and no leaks had been found. They are believed to belong to a young girl who wanders around looking for her mommy. Engine room 13 is said to have a sailor hanging around who was crushed to death. It’s also said that pounding can be heard on the side of the ship by men begging to be brought on board the Queen Mary after the liner split their boats in half trying to avoid enemy ships.

Back in San Diego, we took a moment to laugh at the slapstick trio from Reduced Shakespeare Company in The Ultimate Christmas Show (abridged). They tested the waters of religion and the commercialism of Christmas.

In Hillcrest, a much naughtier play Scrouge in Rouge also brought out the laughs with a cross-dressing version of the Dickens holiday classic, where three actors play 23 roles.

For music lovers, you’ll want to check out the San Diego Symphony.

We had the opportunity to see L’Obsession Fantastique. There was a little unexpected twist in the format of the show that we thought was a great idea for newbies. They had an actor come out and go through each chapter of the story. He added humor to the set, which many people seemed to enjoy. Once he exited the stage you were free to close your eyes and let the music take you away.

SCENE OUT

BY ANA PINES AND KIM RESCATE

A Mud Factor 10-foot wall PHOTO: ANA PINES

Who says only kids enjoy playing in the mud? Not the folks at The Mud Factor. They created a hardcore 5K obstacle course that not only tests your strength and endurance but your ability to get down and dirty. Participants are scheduled into 30-minute waves represented by a color. We had an open “whenever wave” time (white bib) so we decided to go for it as soon as we got there.

The race started with a few steep hills even before hitting the first mile. We had to crawl through a pitch-black storm drain with little space to maneuver around. There were a lot of walls to climb over including a 10-foot rope one.

The hills that followed were so steep that they had ropes to keep people from falling over. The need to limit participants to a specific wave time became abundantly clear when we got to the best part, the 50-foot high water slide into a mud pit.

We waited nearly 30 minutes! It was intense, as you picked up speed going down it was hard to not be spun around. Once you hit that cold water you forget about all that waiting. We then had to run up an inclined wall after coming out of a mud pit.

It was hard not to slide back down with mud on your shoes so people started climbing on the other side to provide a helping hand up. After going up more steep hills, we had to run through a 30 foot long, 8 feet high tunnel with waist deep water, climb over a 15 foot cargo net ladder and crawl under wires in the mud which was only 20 inches off the ground and went on for 50 feet.

Needless to say we had a blast! Afterwards, we all crammed in a group shower where we were sprayed with foam and then encouraged to scream and dance while men dressed in cowboy gear hosed us down with warm water.

Last week was Kim’s birthday so we spent the weekend doing some of her favorite things; being outdoors and eating.

Our first stop was Julian on Saturday. If you’re ever near Julian, go for a hike in Volcan Mountain Preserve. A few minutes past the gate, you’ll see the Five Oaks trail head. We decided to take this route going up. We were able to see the vineyards, orchards and even the ocean on the way up.

Once we reached the summit, the view of gently rolling mountains and valleys to the west and the Anza-Borrego desert to the east just took our breath away.

Although they warn you about mountain lions and snakes, we didn’t encounter any. The hike is very steep so bring plenty of water and wear hiking shoes that have good traction.

After the hike, we stopped at the Julian Cider Mill for a caramel apple and hot apple cider. We then stopped by the Memorial Park where the town celebrated the holiday season with Christmas carols sung by local vocalists.

On Sunday, we started the day with a stop at one of the most raved about food trucks in San Diego, Mariscos German Taco Truck. After eating what could be one of the tastiest burritos we’ve ever had, we drove to Border Field State Park.

There was nothing spectacular when you arrive at the gate, but after a few minutes of walking you’ll reach a beautiful beach. It was pretty much deserted when we got there. We only saw about 10 people walking around and the Border Patrol.

We walked over to the fence that separates Mexico from the U.S. On the Mexican side there were families enjoying the beach, kids playing in the water and music blaring from the stadium. It felt odd to us that something so physically simple could divide us with such magnitude.

SCENE OUT

WITH ANA PINES AND KIM RESCATE

A Hammer, A Bell, and A Song to Sing

Poster from Art is a Hammer by Favianna Rodriguez and Julio Salgado PHOTO: KIM RESCATE

When we attend shows we try not to read too much about it beforehand. We like to see it with fresh eyes. At A Hammer, A Bell, and A Song to Sing, our vocal chords got a surprise as the cast asked the audience to sing along for a few songs. The show takes you through songs that have brought people together throughout history during the civil rights movement, war and protest. As they say music is the universal language of the world. If you ever wished you had magical powers to bring peace to all, this will remind you that we already have that secret – music. There’s also an art show outside of the Lyceum Stage entitled, Art is a Hammer with posters by Favianna Rodriguez and Julio Salgado. You’ll want to arrive a bit early to check it out. It’ll be an inspirational night.

When Last We Flew

As part of the affinity nights at Diversionary, our company, Pink Egg Media, hosted a women’s night party for When Last We Flew. It was a fun night surrounded with friends, food, drinks, and lots of smiles. The play had great comedic moments. It’s a coming of age tale that goes through the struggles of going through a divorce, feeling out of place, not keeping silent when those around you hurt you and falling in love.

San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival

Our taste buds are still thanking us for taking them to the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival. There were more than 100 wineries and spirits producers, with more than 700 different wines poured, 70 of San Diego’s Top Chefs, chef cook-offs, cooking lessons, live music and autograph signings. And that was all in the two days we were able to attend. The event occurred over a 5-day period and attracted guests and talent from all over.

Really big free marathon in Las Vegas

Marathons have been a great excuse for us to get away and discover new places. We’ve been to Vegas so many times that our friends have begun to refer to it as our second home. Many times it’s been a pit stop prior to a trip to the Grand Canyon or Sundance Film Festival. Still, we’ve been there a lot. It’s where we first skydived, saw Christina Aguilera on New Year’s Eve and forgot we did until we saw the video on YouTube (an open bar would do that) and yet, we’ve never gone out and enjoyed the beautiful Lake Mead National Recreation Area until now. When we found out about this unique event, we had to sign up. A free marathon! We were so curious how it would pan out. It was the largest running event ever held at the Lake Mead NRA. There were a few kinks to be worked on as it was their first but they were easily solved with patience within minutes. The most annoying part of the whole thing was the impatience of some of the other runners. We waited about 20 minutes to pick up our bibs and some people couldn’t stop yacking about it being disorganized. We were on a line, there were no fights, names were found, and that’s not the definition of disorganized. Yes, they could have used more volunteers to make the line go faster but if the few they had were the only ones that were up to the task, be patient! We can’t even imagine how hard it is to organize a free race for 2,000 runners. We had a great time, there was plenty of water, helpful volunteers and even though it was free they still gave you a T-shirt and a medal. Hopefully, some new sponsors will jump on board for the next one. After the race, their Facebook page was full of thank you’s, and even apologies for those that were pessimistic. We hope that this running ‘revolution’ will continue.

Scary Maze

Was it just us or did Halloween seem extra long this year? The LGBT community was sprawling with creativity up and down Hillcrest at the weekend. One guy hanging at Bourbon St. made a jacket out of stuffed animals. On our way to Hillcrest we saw three schoolgirls, a frog, Snooki and a Hello Kitty sitting at a bus stop. The night felt like one of those dreams that changes every second, “… and then I was with Snooki and Hello Kitty walked in, and then I was back in high school in my underwear …”

Life and death

During the day, we visited our friend, Sonia, at the Día de los Muertos celebration in Sherman Heights. There were vendors, bands, traditional face painting and altars. Altars are made to honor the deceased with their favorite music, food, toys, photographs and other symbolic offerings. A great reminder of how precious and fragile life is; and that people that we love may pass away but they’re always with us in spirit.

Scary Maze

What would Halloween be without going to some spine-tingling attractions and adding some fear factor into our fright nights? We drove to East County for the new Scary Maze located at the Cottonwood Golf Club. Each person was given a glow stick before going into the maze. There are several entrances but only one leads to the exit. There were zombies, evil spirits, headless horsemen and monsters at every turn. As we ran past the monsters, we had to quickly decide which way to turn because making the wrong decision would lead us to being cornered by the scary characters. Aside from the maze, they also had a beer garden, dance floor and an outdoor movie screen. They were playing Freddy vs. Jason Sunday night. It’s definitely worth checking out again next year. They also have a daytime option, which allows parents to bring the younger kids who wouldn’t be able to handle the nighttime screams.

Playing dress up

We overheard some people saying they were over Halloween on Tuesday but Halloween hadn’t even occurred yet. Would people come out in the middle of the week? Were they over dressing up? Of course not, and boy were we glad. We got nostalgic when we saw characters from our childhood such as Red Fraggle, the Looney Toons, and Big Bird. Our favorite outfit of the weeklong festivities was Ursula. It took dedication and commitment to walk around in that elaborate costume. People quickly got out of the way to avoid her tentacles.

Scene Out

BY KIM RESCATE AND ANA PINES

We drove up to Los Angeles for the New Beverly Cinema’s 5th annual All-Night Horror Show. We didn’t know what to expect. We managed to make it through virtually all of the six movies. There were breaks in between and prior to the features; trailers of other horror classics were shown as well as a few short films. There was also a raffle after one of the movies. We didn’t get called but it was fine because the prize was for a burlesque show that would require us to drive back. Traffic in L.A. is something not to be reckoned with. It was great to see so many people come out to watch these movies, as they should be seen, on the big screen. It lasted from 7 p.m.-7:30 a.m. and we bailed out at 5:30 a.m. during the “secret movie,” The Psychic. It was announced minutes before it was screened. The movie was very good, but another cup of coffee wasn’t able to hold us up, and it was definitely time to turn in. When we left we noticed the crowd was still going strong. We were with FilmOut San Diego’s director of programming, Michael McQuiggan. FilmOut has tried to bring marathons like this to San Diego such as last year’s, Thrill-O-Rama and this year’s, Women Who Kick Ass, but our day crowd doesn’t compare to L.A.’s 4:30 a.m. crowd! Don’t LGBT San Diegan’s like movie marathons? There were plenty of LGBTs at The Beverly.

Chit-chat

The San Diego Repertory Theatre presented the Exit Interview at the Lyceum Theatre and based on the talk that followed, the show proved to be a real conversation starter. The main character Professor Richard Fig, or Dick as everyone else calls him, was in the process of his exit interview from the university. He’s against “chit-chat” and questions everything the human resources person asks. He makes you realize that people resort to mundane topics about the weather, for instance, rather than actually getting to know a person. People often shy away from topics such as political views, beliefs and thoughts about life in general. The openness and reaction by the audience made us excited to see their upcoming show, A Hammer, A Bell, And A Song To Sing which celebrates the role music has played in being part of the change in American history from the American Revolution to the civil rights movement to the Occupy protests. There will be 25 selections from multiple artists in song and spoken word.

Liberty Station: a focus for art

Andy Holmes, Malashock Bully. Photo: Amber Bliss

If you haven’t headed down to Liberty Station, you’re missing out on a plethora of art including Ballast Point Gallery, Betsy Lane and Malashock Dance to name a few. You’ll also see the familiar, Corvette Diner, which called Hillcrest home for 22 years prior to moving in 2009. Take a stroll through the galleries, have some dinner, and then catch Malashock/Raw3. Artistic Director and founder John Malashock, Associate Artistic Director Michael Mizerany and guest choreographer Regina Klenjoski have created three unique emotional pieces that are sure to resonate with many of you.

Klenjoski brought into question whether relationships that have been broken can ever be repaired to what they once were. Malashock’s piece delved into the chaoticness of life and those moments where things don’t seem to go your way. Mizerany’s story entitled, Bully coincides with this month’s anti-bullying awareness campaign. It was a beautifully done piece; the choreography successfully contained tension throughout and created an emotional connection with the audience. Mizerany inserted a little bit of humor toward the end which received a spontaneous positive reaction from the crowd.

Director Gus Van Sant at the Museum of Contemporary Art, La Jolla

Hollywood stars walked the San Diego Film Festival (SDFF) red carpet Sept. 27 at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla to attend the tribute to filmmaker Gus Van Sant (Milk, To Die For, My Own Private Idaho). Attendees of the VIP cocktail reception enjoyed the view from the ocean-front patio before heading into the Sherwood Auditorium where San Diego Film Foundation board chairman Dale Strack, three-time Oscar nominee actress Diane Ladd (mother of Laura Dern) and Pennie Lane, the inspiration behind the Cameron Crowe film Almost Famous, praised Van Sant’s work. Pre-recorded video messages from Robin Williams and Ben Affleck with words of praise for Van Sant were also played on screen. Guests also enjoyed a short montage showing Sant’s work while artist Erik Wahl painted the filmmaker’s portrait live on stage. The SDFF ran Sept. 26-30 with screenings split between La Jolla and The Gaslamp. We watched several films including Seven Psychopaths and Redline in Reading Cinemas. The VIP Lounge at the Keating Hotel provided snacks and refreshments throughout the festival. Being surrounded by movie lovers, reminded us of when we went to the Sundance Film Festival last year, without the snow.

Unleashing our inner Picasso

Wine and Canvas’ motto is “Life is too short for blank walls; unleash your inner Picasso”, and that’s exactly what we did. When we arrived at Eastlake Tavern Bowl, brushes, paints and easels were all neatly laid out. They also provided aprons at each station to keep your clothes paint-free. You don’t need any artistic skills; they show you how to replicate famous paintings step by step while you sip on wine or a cocktail. It lasted about three hours with a fifteen-minute break. Although Wine and Canvas sounds inclusive, it doesn’t actually include the wine. You have to purchase your drinks separately. Also, each class paints a different artist’s work so no lesson is the same. We came home with renditions of Vincent Van Gogh’s, Starry Night.

Fashion Week’s winner

Fashion Week San Diego (FWSD) came to an end this past weekend and Kenneth Barlis was voted the winner of the FWSD business package. Some of the prizes he will receive include a $200 bond from Wells Fargo Bank, logo design, 50 hours of business consulting, a fashion shoot and a spot in next years runway show. Being part of the LGBT community has taught him, “to get out from my comfort zone and to stay true to myself for who I am as a designer whether the people will like me and my designs or not. It’s all about self acceptance, how different we are from each other whether as a designer or just our personality in general.” Congratulations!

Social Chaos: Scene Out

BY KIM RESCATE AND ANA PINES

If you weren’t able to attend the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, do not despair. Fashion Week San Diego is coming back after a three-year hiatus, recovering from the economic recession, stronger than ever Oct. 1-7. The seven-day event will feature 17 designers from San Diego with collections ranging from ready-to-wear, jewelry, sportswear and haute couture. It was founded in 2008, by Allison Andrews of APA Business Consulting, Inc., to give designers the opportunity to exhibit their work to industry professionals, press and potential buyers. In addition to fashion, this event provides hairstylists and makeup artists a platform to showcase their talent too. All the events, including the runway show, shopping day, art and beauty exhibit and education panels will take place in downtown San Diego. Audiences will vote for their favorite design based on wearability, creativity and overall production. The winning designer will receive a business package that will make their line a reality. It was evident from the press conference, held at Roppongi restaurant and sushi bar Sept. 10, that fashion culture is thriving in San Diego. This is an event not to be missed!

A rockin’ good time

The Whistle Stop Bar

The Whistle Stop is a classic cool dive bar/knitting lounge with revolving local art, live music and film screenings located in South Park/Golden Hill. It has a good tap selection, leaning toward pale ale and IPA, friendly bartenders and a chill neighborhood feel. We joined the Shot by Shot film series crowd Sept.13 to watch the punk rock classic Rock ‘n Roll High School. A silly, tongue-in-cheek, campy comedy that’s entertaining with genuine laughs throughout. Hosted by Miguel Rodriguez from Horrible Imaginings and Beth Accomando from KPBS Cinema Junkie, it’s a cool event to geek out with fellow classic movie lovers in a fun, funky atmosphere. The bar doesn’t serve food but if you’d like to grab some at the Station Tavern or MIHO gastro truck, you’re allowed to bring it in. Quick tip: the bar is cash only. The Whistle Stop is indeed the “little bar that could” and does.

Charity meets style

Daniele Spadavecchia and the Gypsy Jazz Trio entertained the crowd at the 2nd annual Moonlight Chic Sept. 19 at the SummerSalt rooftop bar and lounge of the Hotel Palomar. Attendees enjoyed select hors d’oeuvres, drinks, chocolate mousse for dessert and a fashion show. Proceeds from the event benefited Dress for Success San Diego, an international not-for-profit organization that helps raise money for low-income women seeking employment and economic self-sufficiency. Since 1997, Dress for Success has served more than 650,000 women around the world. The majority of the women they serve are single mothers living under the poverty level, between ages 18-38 and are single mothers raising two to three children on their own. Often these women are not unemployed but rather underemployed, having to work two or three jobs to be able to support their family. This organization aims to give these disadvantaged women the information and the resources they need to help them level the playing field and achieve. As female entrepreneurs, we fully realize the importance of lending other women a helping hand. The only difference between the advantaged and the disadvantaged is an opportunity.

Arts San Diego 2012 was held last weekend at Balboa Park’s activity center, a building virtually unknown to many except for volleyball, ping pong and badminton players. It was a fair attended by thousands of collectors, curators, museum directors and art enthusiasts. The layout dedicated spaces for contemporary art, contemporary product and furniture design, mid-century and modern art, and an area designated for experimental works. Each had its own social center with places to sit and talk with artists and dealers, and to experience art in motion. Although we loved the open space and the vicinity of the venue, it was hot inside during the Collector’s First Preview and VIP opening night. There were huge fans inside which took a little bit from the ambiance, especially since we didn’t tie our hair back!

Dancing in the streets

Music, local micro-brews and food trucks took to the streets this Saturday at StreetBeat, KPRi’s Block Party 2. It featured indie-pop and rock sensations, The Wallflowers, Tristan Prettyman and Walk The Moon. We loved that there was plenty of seating both in front of the stage and inside Anthology. On the second level, they had a VIP lounge where there was an appetizer buffet, bar and seating in the balcony area overlooking the festival.

Canyon dig it!

It might not be Yosemite, but Los Penasquitos Canyon Reserve has plenty of beautiful trails to explore. One of the best ways to see this 4,000 acre suburban wilderness is on a moderate 7-mile (round-trip) mountain bike ride. The well-marked, dog-friendly, multi-use hardpacked trail can be taken from the reserve entrance. There aren’t many elevation changes so it’s great for a leisurely walk or for beginner mountain bikers like us. One of the best rewards of the trail is the waterfall cascading through the volcanic rocks about 3 miles out. Well, to be accurate it’s more of a stream than a waterfall. But we loved soaking our feet in the cold water. Things to remember before heading out; bring plenty of water and sunblock, it is hot out there and most of the trail is not shaded. A 20 minute drive from Hillcrest makes it a great choice for a quick getaway from it all.

Toh-may-toh, Toeh-mah-toh. Whatever way you choose to say it there was no argument at the SoCal Tomato Battle on what to do with it: throw it at anyone and everybody. This weekend we trekked up to Irvine Lakes to join in. We were thinking, what’s a more perfect way to spend Saturday afternoon than throwing ripe tomatoes at each other and strangers? There were many interesting outfits during the costume contest prior to the battle. One being “time of the month.” ‘Nuff said. By the end, we were trudging on slippery, smashed tomatoes and had a sudden urge for spaghetti!

Tasty spirits

We spent a couple of hours at the fourth annual Spirits Festival Sunday afternoon. The cocktail and spirits samples were abundant. It was held at the Broadway Pier Pavilion and the view while watching the bands play was amazing! There were several food trucks to balance off the alcohol intake inside the festival. Many of the brands we had heard of, such as Twisted Shots and 619 Vodka, but there were new ones such as Ron de Jeremy dark rum and Tatratea. Yes, that Ron Jeremy! One of our favorites was the green snapper mixed with cucumber, tomatillo and a few other spices. It’s like a green version of a Bloody Mary. Delicious and full of antioxidants.

Nicky’s

After a much needed power nap, we headed to the Nicky Awards. We both had a wonderful evening and extend big congratulations to all the winners. Last, but not least, may I present to you the 2012 Female Personality of the Year. My lovely wife, Kim Rescate.

Kim: Well, who knew I had a personality, let alone an award-winning one? Not I. It was a surprise for me. When Ana and I moved from New York a few years ago, we didn’t know anyone here. Now, we feel like we’re part of the community. I am grateful for all those who have taken a chance on us and given us the opportunity to be your friends and/or colleagues. You know who you are!

Ana Pines has a BA in film and TV from New York University and an MBA from Baker College. She currently works as a producer for PR Newswire and as a director/co-programmer for FilmOut San Diego.

Kim Rescate is a strategic, multidisciplinary designer with an eye for innovation and pixel perfection. She is currently the art director for FilmOut San Diego and a graphic designer/press officer for Diversionary Theatre.

Candye Kane (Photo: Ana Pines & Kim Rescate

BY ANA PINES and KIM RESCATE

Taboo: The Ladies’ Lair

If you’re looking for a night with a mix of Hip Hop, Dancehall and Neo soul music, you need to make your way to Til-Two Club (4746 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego 92115) Fridays for Soul Kiss’ Taboo: The Ladies’ Lair. They have happy hour all night; a roomy dance floor in the back of the bar; lounge chairs and a pool table. The ladies come trickling in dressed to impress after 11 p.m.

Finally, Del Mar!

We’ve seen the Del Mar Race commercials thousands of times but as non-betters there’s been no rush to go check it out. This past weekend, we finally made our way to the tracks and picked a winner. The problem…we didn’t have enough for the minimum bet so we won zilch, nothing, nada. Does that make us lucky or unlucky?

CityFest

CityFest was a glowing spectacle as attendees pumped glow sticks in the air, dancing to the sets of DJ Will Z, DJ John Joseph and DJ Dirty Kurty. We ran into friends, old and new, celebrating the spirit of the community. There’s always a reason to party when you go to Hillcrest.

Let there be music (awards) and Candye (Kane)

We attended the 22nd Annual San Diego Music Awards. The crowd was very laid back. Many of the awardees weren’t there to accept their awards, a fact that caused awkward moments of silence, accentuated by fits of the presenter repeating the winners’ names several times. The spotlights would shine on. The audience looked around each time, wondering if it would be another false-alarm, no-show honoree.

We were glad to see seven-time National Blues Award Nominee, Candye Kane present to receive the Courage and Music Award. Kane got emotional during her speech. She has been battling neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer for the past three years. She underwent her second surgery May 2. A role model for the disenfranchised and the underdog, Kane is also an advocate for large-sized women; has fought for the equal rights of sex workers and the LGBT community; and she has been active with United by Music, a charity organization providing blues education to young people with disabilities since 2005.

It’s no wonder that her fans are a diverse group of bikers, blues fans, punk rockers, drag queens, big girls, queers, burlesque dancers, porn fans, sex workers, rockabilly and swing dancers, gray-haired hippies, sex-positive feminists and everyday folks of all ages. Her work exemplifies the power music has to unite people. Tough cookie, Candye Kane will be performing with Gregory Page at Anthology (1337 India St, Downtown San Diego) Sept. 28 at 9:30 p.m.  A colorful mixture of the traditional and the eclectic, her shows are passionate, honest and irresistible. One evening with Candye Kane will keep you wanting more.

Zoot Suit is the first installment of San Diego REPertory Theatre’s 37th season. It is presented in partnership with The San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. Written by Luis Valdez, considered one of the most important and influential playwrights living today, the musical is set in Los Angeles during World War II. It was around this time when young Latinos in California, for whom the media used the then-derogatory term Chicanos, created a youth culture. They adopted their own music, language and clothing. For the men, the style was to wear a zoot suit – a flamboyant long coat with baggy pegged pants, a pork pie hat, a long key chain and shoes with thick soles.

The rising action of the plot is the infamous Sleepy Lagoon murder. The Zoot-Suit Riots had racial and social resonances that ring true even in today’s society. In times of war and a downward economy there has always been a scapegoat. The main character, Henry Reyna (Lakin Valdez), wrongfully got arrested throughout his life. He was even accused of stealing a car which turned out to be his father’s. The lack of respect and abuse of power was dominant, as an officer stated in the musical, “You can’t treat these animals like people.”

At the end, the mythical character of “El Pachuco” (Raul Cardona) reminds the audience that there are many choices and many endings. The lesson of not turning a blind eye to prejudice may not reach all but hopefully it reached some. Gangs don’t sprout up from fair treatment, but from the disenfranchised. The musical runs till Aug.12. For more info visit sdrep.org

Saturday, we attended the opening reception for Xavier Ramirez’ Solo Art Show at The Roots Factory in Barrio Logan. Hip-hop music by Scatter Brain & V-Rock and Dathomir Horace filled the young and chill art space. Ramirez, who performs under the name Broth Goard, used props, sounds and movement to augment his dark-themed black-and-white paintings and drawings. The images were intriguing and everything had a street-art tone.

Kitty Diamond is now open across from Numbers, where Flame used to be. It’s been transformed into a mix of a live arts and performance venue; a couple of artists painted in the window and several items are available to browse and purchase inside the club. The beer was reasonably priced at $5 but the cocktails were pretty weak for $8. The bartenders were friendly and the music is definitely different from the other clubs we’ve been to in Hillcrest. We liked the vibe but the crowd was minimal even past midnight on a Saturday. We hope it picks up, it would be nice to have a place that attracts an eclectic crowd.

We did it! We survived The Walking Dead Escape July 12. I know we said we were going to be spectators, but we just couldn’t give up the opportunity to experience it as survivors. The people around us were prepared with knee and elbow pads, helmets and Go Pro cameras strapped to their heads. By comparison, we were carrying our backpacks with cameras and laptops and sans knee and elbow pads (should’ve read the email more thoroughly). What did we get ourselves into?

When our “wave” time came, they herded about 30 of us into Petco Park’s first level. As the first set of doors closed behind us, we noticed a cage full of zombies. The crowd looked at them in awe, snapping pictures, admiring the make-up, calmly walking not knowing what to expect. We heard some inaudible words being spoken by someone in the crowd. Some of us turning to each other with a, “what did they say?” face. And then it happened; they were screaming that the zombies had escaped. They came at us with fake blood and puss oozing out of their faces, arms and legs. Everyone started running, fire sirens were set off, smoke began to cloud your view; it was time to survive. Throughout the obstacle course we climbed, crawled, ducked, slid and ran from the living dead. Fake news coverage played out on TV screens with scenes of abandoned cities, doctors examining patients and people going into potholes for survival. Once we made it past the zombies and completed the obstacle run, we went through a black tent for “testing;” workers waved black wands over us to confirm we weren’t “infected.” We saw participants with scrapes, bruises, limps and bleeding cuts. The whole experience provided both of us with a huge adrenaline rush.

Comic-Con was full of amazing costumes, panels, workshops, movies, artists and game previews. There were so many things to do it was hard to decide. We were pleasantly surprised to see Lucy Lawless on a panel about women in pop culture. She wasn’t scheduled in the program, so we were ecstatic as avid Xena and Spartacus fans.

During the True Blood panel, Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse), did a walking handstand across the stage. The crowd went wild. The host didn’t waste any time coaxing Joe Manganiello (Alcide Herveaux) to do his Big Dick Richie dance from Magic Mike. Even new member, Christopher Meloni (Roman Zimojic) showed off some moves.

Costumes have hugely improved from when we attended the convention two years ago. Three of our favorite costumes were, the dalek, blue beetle and a zombie clown. We are looking forward to next year’s Comic-Con.

Melissa Etheridge

Melissa Etheridge rocked it like no other at Harrah’s Open Sky Theater, June 22. As we watched her perform on a stage set against a background landscape of mountains – all beneath a canopy of a star-filled night sky, the atmosphere became magical. The crowd was full of old and new Etheridge fans; nearly all of whom stood up in their seats and sang their hearts out at various points throughout the night. In fact, many fans never sat back down after standing up to sing along with the fabulous Ms. E.

After the concert, we had a late-night hunger attack. Our search to satisfy our cravings led us to Yokohama Yakitori Koubo, which is open until 2 a.m. Koubo is a small Japanese restaurant, which first opened in Yokohama, Japan in 1985. Located at 3904 Convoy Street in San Diego, it has the same interior design as the original restaurant. We had grilled rice ball soup and “Tokusei” Yakitori Don – a special skewers bowl with miso soup. Finding this little discovery paid off deliciously.

Harmony, Kansas opening night was full of smiling faces of people who loved the Diversionary Theatre’s production. After the play, the actors mingled with the audience, as everyone enjoyed wine and food. If you love musicals, check this play out. It runs through July 22.

Pride is in the air. People gathered after work at the W Hotel, June 26, to celebrate the awardees for Stonewall Pride, watch the Voice of America’s Pride finale, and dance the night away. The energy level at the W was high; perhaps an indication of the excitement of this year’s amazing lineup of entertainment for San Diego Pride.

Joshua Napier

Brians’ American Eatery, one of the community’s favorite dining spots and neighborhood hangouts, closed its doors Saturday. We had breakfast there for the final time, last Thursday. We’re anxious to see what the new owners will do with the place. Will the décor be preserved, as it was when it changed from Topsy’s to Brians’? Stay tuned.

June 30, we checked out the rock band Social Animal during a fundraising event at the Ruby Room. The event was organized to raise money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. The band consists of three members, Joshua Napier, Mishelle Banaga and Jack Norris. Napier, vocals and guitar, included a Melissa Etheridge song in his musical repertoire; crediting her for being one of his main inspirations.

Carolina Ramos

At our second-year attendance of the celebration of Pachanga de Frida at The Center, we were happy to see the crowd was bigger this time. The vibe was festive and the Frida lookalikes were the highlight of the night. The event benefited Latino services at The Center. Carolina Ramos, director of Community Programs and Latino Services, looked flawless as she attended to every guest during the event.

Robert Kirkman, the creator/writer of The Walking Dead comic book series, graphic novels and Skybound.com is having the first-ever The Walking Dead Escape: San Diego, July 12-14. It is unlike any obstacle course event in the U.S., expanding on the best-selling The Walking Dead comic book series and graphic novel storylines. We will be attending as spectators, watching the apocalypse from the sidelines at the Escape Party, Thursday, 5-7 p.m. We were definitely curious about participating as zombies, but what if someone gets so scared they slap you? Watching others seemed like the better option.

Ashley Gardner

If we look familiar it is probably because you may have seen us taking photos for San Diego LGBT Weekly. Perhaps we took a photo of you at one point. If so, thank you for sharing your smiles with us. If our faces are not familiar, but our names are, then maybe you’ve read some of our articles. Either way, we’re excited to get to know everyone even better and share our adventures within the community and beyond.

We are open to try anything from skydiving and bungee jumping to outdoor concerts and food festivals. We hope that we can be an instrument in your next adventure; give you that final push to try something new or make you curious about an event or place that you haven’t been to before.

Last week, we ventured out to Balboa Park for the Women’s Museum of California’s annual Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Festival. It was full of delectable treats, a variety of wine, and music by Sue Palmer, “Queen of Boogie Woogie”. We found heaven when we tried the chocolate wine. Yes, chocolate wine. It was so delicious that we had to have seconds. We also got to meet museum director; Ashley Gardner. If you missed out on this year’s festival, we recommend adding it to your calendars now.

We ran into fellow San Diego LGBT Weekly writer, Pastor Dan, of “Where’s the Faith?” while attending Ron Oster’s house party for clients and friends. It was a great way to meet neighbors and make “that” connection that is often difficult when one is too busy or too shy. He also had refreshing margaritas, which is always useful in helping break the ice.

Rev. Dan Koeshall

Karaoke nights at The Caliph is the place to be. The atmosphere is down to earth and there’s camaraderie between the regulars that makes you feel at ease. You’ll want to be belting out tunes along with them. You can check out their karaoke scene on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

For those late night cravings, check out El Zarape in University Heights. The food will fill you up and satisfy you after a night out. The small restaurant is a few doors down from Bourbon Street. The seating is limited but the service is quick, the price is right and the food is amazing.

Here’s what’s coming up in our calendar: The Melissa Etheridge concert at Harrah’s Casino June 22; opening night of Diversionary Theatre’s Harmony, Kansas; a world premiere in San Diego June 23; and Pachanga de Frida at The Center June 30, which is a celebratory event of Frida Kahlo’s birthday with a Frida look-alike contest.

You’ll never know what we’re up to. We live in the moment and take whatever is thrown our way. Find us dancing the night away in the Hillcrest clubs, at a street festival or kayaking in La Jolla. Whatever it is, say hi to us as you may be the next person “Scene Out with Kim and Ana.”