There are people out there who believe if you’re going to eat meat, you should have the balls to look the animal in the face and kill it yourself.
That’s the theory behind a project called Death for Food, which aims to teach people how to slaughter animals humanely, forcing them to build a connection with their food.
For the most part, people buy their meat packaged at that grocery store with no knowledge of how it got there. By teaching methods of slaughter, Death for Food believes it’s instilling respect for animals who die to feed humans. They may be inadvertently creating more vegans and vegetarians as a result.
Some people and animal rights groups aren’t so pleased with Death for Food, forcing the cancellation of an event this month that was set for nearby Suzie’s Farm. But others, like food writer Troy Johnson, who spoke with KPBS this week, applaud the group’s work, saying it creates more transparency and awareness of animal suffering and consumption.
You’re reading the Culture Report, Voice of San Diego’s weekly collection of the region’s cultural news.
MCASD Expansion, Seussian Art and More Visual Art Goodies
• Digital art is having a moment at BYOB Tijuana. (Reader)
• The works on display in Helmuth Project’s exhibition Object Object! are small but drive home a big message. (CityBeat)
• MCASD is making more room for art with a planned expansion. I hope this means it’ll finally have the space for all its velvet Elvis paintings. (KPBS)
• Ann Weber turns cardboard into gorgeous pieces of sculptural art, and makes me feel guilty for all those empty boxes of wine I throw out. (U-T)
• CityBeat features a piece by Natalie Bessell, the youngest artist to ever appear on its cover page. Get to know her in the weekly’s profile.
• An exhibition featuring little- to never-before-seen illustrations and artwork by Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, is now on view at the San Diego History Center. KPBS talks to the exhibition curator and museum director about the wonderfully wacky exhibit.
• Tour the house that glass-blowing built. (CityBeat)
• The King Tut Exhibition at TheNAT sounds super creepy and amazing. (KPBS)
Bye-Bye Ling, Jazz and More Music and Performance Stuff
• The Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista is expanding its lineup next year to include more varied entertainment, like jazz concerts, a cabaret series that puts the audience on stage with artists and more. (U-T)
• The Jazz Educators Network Conference is coming to San Diego in January, bringing 84 concerts, 79 clinics and panels and more to the Manchester Grand Hyatt. (U-T)
• Speaking of jazz, the San Diego Jazz Fest and Swing Extravaganza returns with a goal to attract a younger, hipper crowd. What do the kids listen to these days, anyhow? (U-T)
• Jahja Ling is parting ways with the San Diego Symphony, but not before crushing some classical jams first. (U-T)
• The Symphony still hasn’t found a replacement for Ling, but will finding a new captain to steer the classical ship lead to higher ticket costs? Possibly. (Reader)
• KPBS reports the San Diego Opera is no longer in danger of financial failure. Phew.
• The San Diego Performing Arts League is revamped and ready to move forward with its ArtsTix Box Office project. (U-T)
• The U-T sits down with my ultimate lady crush, San Diego civic organist Dr. Carol Williams. She really is a delightful lady.
Superheroes, Safety Concerns and More Culture Crumbs
• The Che Café is very close to closing down due to supposed safety issues. But the collective is calling B.S. on that noise and not giving up. (Reader)
• CityBeat columnist Ryan Bradford traversed the dangerous streets of North Park with the Xtreme Justice League, a group of vigilante superheroes that works to prevent crime and keep your shoes dry on the mean streets of San Diego.
• While the border wait in San Ysidro has improved dramatically for drivers (yay!), it’s still a pain for pedestrians (boo!). The Reader lays out the few improvements made in the walking lanes to help ease the pain.
• Apparently, social media has totally killed the good vibes at Cowles Mountain. Your Instagram handle should be changed to @ashamed. (Reader)