Entering its sophomore year, the Loft ‘mdash; located in Price Center East ‘mdash; looks to stay afloat with a fresh round of indie delights for incoming dorm kids and mildly bemused seniors alike. The cafeteria-chic nightclub fancies itself a lime-green ray of fun in the depths of UCSD’s stony abyss, and we’re damn proud of our lil’ dance floor that could. Just like last year, the Loft-Off serves up six nights to commence the quarter, ranging from hip-hop regulars to cinema on the green. If you’re seeking a Welcome Week special that won’t rival the gas bill, look no further. Plus, it gives you an excuse to pregame at International House (as if you needed one).
‘Dr. Strangelove’ Wednesday, Sept. 23
What better way to prep for the first day of school than by cozying up to a new roomie on the lawn? No matter how many times you’ve seen it, Stanley Kubrick’s Cold War comedy ‘Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb’ is a timeless classic for any politically inclined, fluid-filled individual. Besides, it’s probably a lot more meaningful than it was in middle school, or that one time you watched it with your thoroughly blazed big brother.
The film will be projected on the Price Center East Lawn. But it wouldn’t be an ArtPwr performance without the requisite artsy-fartsy lecture beforehand. Catch an elegantly coiffed David Elliot, former movie critic for the San Diego Union-Tribune and USA Today, leading a discussion on nuclear paranoia, Nazi comedy and expressionist staging before the show. Be sure to pack additional snacks for a prescreened Kubrick photo montage, accompanied by synth samples and theremin
wobbles from Oceanside punk duo Burning of Rome. Devout fans can also try their luck at the ‘Kubrick quiz’ to win tickets for the upcoming San Diego Asian Film Fest and private screening of ‘The Sleep Dealer’ ‘mdash; a Mexican-made, futuristic mindfuck.
Emily Wells ‘amp; Portable Playback Thursday, Sept. 24
Street violinist Emily Wells is back for a second time at the Loft in all her dreadlocked white-chick glory, stringing Vivaldi crescendos onto beat-up Biggie riffs like life was a macaroni necklace. When the Guardian spoke with her last, Wells giggled like a schoolgirl at mention of her prodigious history (she was busy snubbing record labels by the age of 14). She giggled, too, while describing her obsessions with both Suzuki and Tupac Shakur, along with a dislike for unlistenable ‘art’ music. It was hard to imagine that trademark hollowed-out voice emanating from such a cheery girl, chilling her delicate mash-ups of banjo, synth and strings.
Fast forward a year, and Wells is still honing her Gothic pop scores ‘mdash; so-called ‘symphonies’ ‘mdash; in the dimly lit corners of American universities, remaining more an NPR darling than a Top 40 chart-hopper. Her return to UCSD is appropriately opened by intelli-rap duo Portable Payback (we know, they sound like a shitty emo band). Chipped off the now-split Jurassic 5, Soup and Marc 7even partner for some loungy meditation in lieu of debut, Relax. Should be a solid album soundtrack for bite-sized food from the Loft’s new Zanzibar restaurant.
Eclipse Club Party Friday, Sept. 25
It’s not even Week One and your life is already falling apart. Every one of your books is already’ out of stock at the motherfuckin’ UCSD Bookstore; you can’t understand your professor through his thick Romanian accent; your mom forgot to pay the Fall Quarter bill and you got dropped from all your classes.
It’s okay ‘mdash; sweat it off at the Loft’s first dance party of the year, in honor of a moonless sky. UCSD’s hip-hop champs 220 Second to None (get it?) will also swing by to perform to the likes of Rihanna and Beyonce. Before you know it, you’ll be booty poppin’ your way to a 4.0. Plus, getting a little too tipsay ain’t a problem when your dorm room is right next door. Poignant cinema and mini sandwiches are great and all, but take it from us: This kind of midnight frenzy is what makes the Loft sick.
Luminance Sunday, Sept. 27
These aren’t your typical UCSD study bores ‘mdash; they can play music, and damn well, too. The Luminance club gives local Asian-American musicians a stage by hosting a talent show for young rock stars at the Loft this Sunday. Singer/songwriter Jane Lui strums haunting originals (highlight: ‘Illusionist Boy’) as well as a handful of classics like the late-great Jackson’s ‘Rock With You’. Later Cathy Nguyen takes her covers to a Miley Cyrus-cute, smooth-as-honey level, sometimes even pulling out a Hannah Montana number (we hope she brings along her nimble-fingered backup Andrew Garcia). Victor Kim of the Flex Crew then performs one-armed breakdance and Filipina Michelle Martinez purrs out that kinky hot shit (a la Jeremih’s ‘Birthday Sex’).
Jazz/Zion I Tuesday, Sept. 29
Get your highbrow fix with Jazz at Lincoln Central Orchestra, performing at the Mandeville Auditorium across campus. With a repertoire ranging from Mingus to Sinatra, the 15-piece orchestra is described as a ‘religious congregation’ by its virtuoso messiah Wynton Marsalis, intent on ‘spreading the word of jazz.’ Sounds suspiciously cultish.
After the show, head back to the Loft to catch Oakland hip-hop duo Zion I, loaded with beat-benders from latest release The Take Over (marking a decade since their debut.) Familiar faces to the campus, emcee Zion and producer AmpLive catapult from coast to coast, tangling reggae with drum ‘n bass with a touch of trance for a happy raptivism set list that tributes the days of De La Soul.
‘Kobe Doin’ Work’ Wednesday, Sept. 30
Spike Lee first got the idea to document tattooed stallion Kobe Bryant when he saw a film at Cannes profiling soccer great Zinedine Zidane. Lightbulb the American audience by framing their favorite sport through the eyes of a reigning (if somewhat infamous) hero. Turns out the all-star did his part in playing the cereal-box mascot, earning an MVP title to crown the director’s latest Afro-centric flick. Stick around for a post screening talk with UCSD Athletic Director Earl Edwards and men’s basketball head coach Chris Carlson.