Whenever I tell people that Aimee Mann’s coming to town, I generally get one of two responses. It’s either “Aimee Mann? I love her!” Or it’s “Aimee Mann? Do I know her?”
That’s the kind of career the now-64-year-old singer/songwriter has had since she went solo in the early ‘90s after the breakup of her band ‘Til Tuesday (“Voices Carry”).
Fans of her smart, lyrical and sometimes sardonic songs have clung to her from the very beginning of that solo career. But Mann’s never cracked the mainstream. The closest she’s ever come was having her plaintive tune “Save Me” from the film “Magnolia” nominated for an Oscar in 2000.
Mann returns to San Diego on both Monday and Tuesday night for shows at the Belly Up in Solana Beach. That’s the first place I saw her, years ago when she was performing the holiday variety show she fronts in cities around the country.
The Belly Up gigs are, not surprisingly, sold out, but those devoted fans I referenced earlier probably got their tickets a long time ago. Fans like myself.
If you’re a fan and you’re missing out, Mann will head up the coast to perform at the United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles on Friday night. All these shows will be opened by singer-songwriter Jonathan Coulton, who mingles comedy with his music and plays instruments such as the glockenspiel and the zendrum. I don’t know what a zendrum is, either.
Movie screenings
It’s scary movie season. Just the other day I streamed the 1979 adaptation of Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot,” and it gave me the shivers. Now’s my chance for some more Stephen King movie mania. Local film buff/entrepreneur Eddie Gurrola’s Popcorn Reef is presenting a screening of “Silver Bullet,” the 1985 movie take on a King novella of the same name. It starred Gary Busey.
Popcorn Reef is showing “Silver Bullet” on Wednesday night at 7 at the Adams Ave Theatre in Normal Heights. In an event co-presented by Verbatim Books, the director of “Silver Bullet,” Dan Attias, will be there to talk about the movie after the screening. Verbatim will also have a Haunted Book Table on the premises. I’m assuming that means the books are haunted — not the table. For details, visit popcornreef.com.
More movies
Just in time for Halloween Week, the Balboa Theatre’s Silent Movie Mondays return next week with a screening of the silent classic “The Phantom of the Opera” from 1925. Accompanying the spooky images will be live organ music. That’s what you call a throwback to the silent era of filmmaking.
Actor Lon Chaney came up with his own makeup and starred in this first genuine filming of the novel by Gaston Leroux. I haven’t seen it since I took a film history class in college a long time ago. Monday’s screening is at 7 p.m. with tickets starting at $24.
In conversation
Art, mindfulness and mental health can go together, or have you never felt inspired, gratified or comforted by experiencing art or making some yourself?
That’s the premise of “Breathe With Me: A Celebratory Conversation” happening on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Epstein Family Amphitheater on the UC San Diego campus in La Jolla. This free ArtPower/UCSD event brings together in that conversation Danish artist Jeppe Hein and actor Laura Linney.
Linney, incidentally, was the recent recipient of the 9th Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award, also known as “the Kate.” It honors a performer who demonstrates the spirit and independence of the incomparable Hepburn.
A Sonic meet-and-greet
Bet you didn’t know that “Sonic the Hedgehog” has deep San Diego connections. Point of fact, actors Scott Dreier, David Humphrey and Ryan Drummond — all of whom appeared in many local theaters’ productions of the musical “Forever Plaid” — were also voice actors for the Sega Sonic Video Game Series.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the game “Sonic Heroes,” the last they made together, 10 of the original voice actors from the “Sonic” series are gathering for a meet-and-greet Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at Comics N Stuff in Westfield Mission Valley Mall.
Those original recordings for the “Sonic” series, by the way, were done at a studio in San Diego.
U-T arts and entertainment stories you may have missed this week
UCTV
University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
“Discussion of the Film ‘The Wind and the Reckoning’”
Producer Angela Laprete and actor Lindsay Watson join moderator Tyler Morgenstern to discuss their film “The Wind and the Reckoning,” a powerful story set in late 19th century Hawaii during the leprosy epidemic. The film follows the real-life struggle of Native Hawaiian families resisting forced relocation. Presented in the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi language, the film captures the cultural depth and resilience of the Hawaiian people. The conversation explores the film’s development, its blending of Western and historical drama genres, and the filmmakers’ collaboration with cultural consultants to ensure authenticity. They emphasize the importance of telling this historical story with thoughtful cultural representation, shedding light on Hawaii’s untold history.
“Building a Better Kidney Chip”
Catherine Yeung, Pharm.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., discusses groundbreaking advancements in kidney-on-a-chip technology, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize human health. She delves into the role of environmental toxins, such as okra toxin A, microplastics, and plasticizers, in contributing to chronic kidney disease, particularly in regions with specific dietary practices. Yeung also addresses the challenges of replicating adult kidney cells from stem cells, which often retain a fetal phenotype, and underscores the value of stem cell-derived models for genetic manipulation and disease research. Additionally, she highlights the increased risk of kidney stones in astronauts post-spaceflight and the broader implications of organ-on-chip technology for studying therapies and diseases.
“Teaching Ethics and Civic Values”
This program explores the lasting impact of humanist and scholar Walter Capps, who was renowned for his influential teachings on ethics, civic values, and fostering critical dialogue in the classroom and beyond. A distinguished panel joins the discussion and explores the complexities of civic engagement, addressing how ethics shape decision-making processes and community involvement. They also discuss the challenges of maintaining civic values in today’s interconnected world, drawing parallels to global consciousness and social responsibility. Capps’ approach to education is highlighted as a model for inspiring students to think deeply about their roles in society, advocating for a more ethical, informed, and engaged citizenry.
And finally, top weekend events
The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: Oct. 25-27.