Put 'em up, San Diego.
The band Pistolera, which means “trigger woman” in Spanish, brings its rock and roll corridos to town.
Four women make up Pistolera, but their songs are anything but girly.
Pistolera is strong. Pistolera is dangerous. Pistolera rocks and is ranchera at the same time.
The New York band, led by singer-guitarist Sandra Velásquez, mixes rock with sounds typical of regional Mexican music, like accordions and tuba.
Velásquez was born and raised in San Diego (she's the daughter of prominent immigration attorney Lilia Velásquez), but in 1999 she moved to New York to pursue a master's degree in humanities.
DATEBOOK
Pistolera
8 p.m. Sunday; Voz Alta, 1544 Broadway, San Diego; $10; (619) 236-0160 or www.vozalta.org
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It was there she experienced a culture shock that led her explore the music of her Mexican roots.
“I think part of it was being far from San Diego and the border,” said Velásquez, 30. “It had something to do with missing my people. But the truth is I like ranchera music.”
Pistolera's first record, “Siempre hay salida” (“There's Always a Way Out”) goes on sale Tuesday. The album's 10 songs are in Spanish and accordions blasts come from every groove.
The lyrics take aim at female stereotypes and discrimination suffered by Mexicans in the United States.
“I chose the name Pistolera because I wanted something strong and feminine, because that's how we are in the band,” said Velásquez.
On “Acércate” (“Come Close”), a woman warns a man about even thinking of raping her: Come close and you'll see what happens ... / I've got my machete ready.
Pistolera's music has been compared to Latino rock acts like Aterciopelados, Ozomatli and early Los Lobos.
The band's songs deal with current, controversial, events.
On “Cazador” (Hunter), the pistoleras take aim at the Minutemen and other vigilante groups: Armed, they wait at the border / They must know we're watching them too / They think they're defending the land from illegals / But we all know no one else will do the immigrants' work.”
– PABLO JAIME SAINZ
SAN DIEGO
Live shows
Bill Caballero: Latin jazz. Chicano Perk, 616 National City Blvd., National City, 7 tonight. www.chicanoperk.com or (619) 474-7375.
“Noches Rockeras”: Rock en español. House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego. Tomorrow 8:30 p.m. $15. (619) 299-2583.
“Sweet Fifteen (Quinceañera)”: A play written by San Diego native Rick Najera. San Diego Repertory, 79 Horton Plaza. Tomorrow through Nov. 12. $20. (619) 544-1000.
Los Ingratos: Rock en español. Over the Border, 3008 Main St., Chula Vista. Fridays and Saturdays. No cover between 8 and 10 p.m.; otherwise, $10. www.overtheborder.net or (619) 427-5889.
Exhibitions
“Día de los Muertos”: Altars will be on view through Nov. 25 at Expressions of Mexico Gallery, 1122 Cesar E. Chavez Pkwy., in Barrio Logan. Thursday to Saturday, 12 to 6 p.m. Free. (619) 232-1699 or www.expressionsofmexico.com.
“Vavra's Vision: Equine Images”: Photographs by a celebrated equine photographer. Victor Díaz Gallery, 1690 Frontage Road, Chula Vista. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Nov. 30. $5; free for seniors and students. www.iipa.org or (619) 628-1466.
“Estamos Buscando A (We're Looking for) – the Retablos of Migrants Along the U.S.-Mexico Border”: This photographic exhibition by Paul Turounet explores the psychological and emotional worries of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Fine Arts Gallery of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice at the University of San Diego, 5998 Alcalá Park. Tuesday through Saturday, 12 to 4:30 p.m. through Dec. 15. Free. (619) 260-4090.
“Paper Traces: Latin American Prints and Drawings”: A collection of more than 60 drawings and prints from such Latin American masters as Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamayo. San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; through Dec. 31. $4 to $10. (619) 232-7931 or www.sdmart.org.
“The Migrant Project: Contemporary California Farm Workers”: These photographs present different aspects of farmwokers' lives. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd.. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Sundays, 12 to 4 p.m. through Jan. 28. $5. (760) 839-4138 or www.artcenter.org.
Miscellaneous
Altares: The Día de los Muertos celebration continues at Centro Cultural de la Raza, 2004 Park Blvd., Balboa Park. Through Nov. 26. Tuesday through Sunday, 12 to 4 p.m. Free admission. (619) 235-6135 or www.centroraza.com.
Piñata workshop: Learn to make piñatas for Christmas at Back From Tomboctou, 3564 Adams Ave., San Diego. Through Nov. 18. Saturday. Times vary. $20. (619) 282-8708.
“Gypsy Fusion”: Flamenco dinner show with guitarist Joseph Fargier. Café Sevilla, 555 Fourth Ave., downtown. 7 p.m. Saturdays. $47.50. (619) 233-5979 or www.cafesevilla.com.
“From Mambo to Hip-Hop: A South Bronx Story”: The documentary offers a glimpse of different Latin rhythms in New York as part of the “Voces” series; airs on KPBS, Channel 15 at 2 p.m. Sunday.
TIJUANA
Live shows
Amantes de Lola: Rock en español. Tilly's, Ave. Revolución 701, Tijuana. 8 p.m. Saturday. 120 to 230 pesos (about $12 to $23). 011-52-664-685-9015.
TJ Open Supercross: Motorcycle racing. Estadio Calimax, Tijuana. 5 p.m. Saturday. 180 to 500 pesos (about $18 to $50). 011-52-664-634-3709 or www.tjsupercross.com.
Belly Dance: Concert and workshops at El Foro, Ave. Revolución 1500, Zona Centro, Tijuana. 9 p.m. Saturday. 150 pesos (about $15). 011-52-664-685-8676 or (619) 734-2333.
Modular pop: 1980s music. Racer's Bar, Vía Rápida 15035, Plaza Mundo Divertido, Tijuana. 8 p.m. Saturdays. 011-52-664-103-6179 or www.modularpop.net.
Movies
“Vikingos”: IMAX film takes viewers through the routes of these sailors. Cecut, Paseo de los Héroes and Mina, zona Río, Tijuana. 22 to 44 pesos (about $2-$4). 011-52-664-687-9600 or www.cecut.gob.mx.
Exhibitions
Comics: The exhibit “XVII Salón Internacional de Caricatura e Historiet Tijuana 2006” will present the work of several moneros, or cartoonists, from different states in Mexico. Through Nov. 26 at Cecut, Paseo de los Héroes and Mina, zona Río, Tijuana. Free. 011-52-664-687-9600 or www.cecut.gob.mx.
Miscellaneous
Tijuana Wax Museum: More than 80 wax replicas of historic, religious, political and other famous figures. Museo de Cera, Calle Primera, corner of Revolución and Madero, zona Centro, Tijuana. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 15 pesos (about $1.50). 011-52-664-688-2478.
Wrestling: At the Auditorio Municipal, Boulevard Agua Caliente, east of downtown Tijuana. 8 p.m. Fridays. Tickets start at 60 pesos (about $6). 011-52-664-250-9015.
Cecuti: A new interactive area for children and teens at Cecut, Paseo de los Héroes and Mina, Zona Río, Tijuana. Saturdays and Sundays. Free. 011-52-664-687-9600 or www.cecut.gob.mx
Bullfights: Toreo de Tijuana, Playas de Tijuana. 4 p.m. Sunday. 120 to 590 pesos (about $12 to $60). 011-52-664-686-1219.
Looking ahead
Lucybell: Nov. 10. Rock en español. from Chile. El Foro, Ave. Revolucíon 1500, Tijuana. 8 p.m. $15 to $35. 011-52-664-685-8676 or (619) 734-2333.
Panteón Rococó: Nov. 12. Rock en español. Over the Border, 3008 Main St., Chula Vista. (619) 427-5889 or www.overtheborder.net.
Filippa Giordano: Nov. 19. Pop opera. Cecut, Paseo de los Héroes and Mina, Zona Río, Tijuana. 800 pesos (about $80). 7 p.m. 011-52-664-687-9600 or www.cecut.gob.mx.
Gustavo Cerati: Nov. 20. Argentina's Rock en español icon will perform with Los 3 and Zoe. El Foro, Ave. Revolucíon 1500, Zona Centro, Tijuana. 8 p.m. 011-52-664-685-8676 or (619) 734-2333.
Latin reggae: Nov. 22. Elijah Emanuel and The Revelations perform in English and Spanish at Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach. 9 p.m. (858) 481-8771 or www.bellyup.com.
George Lopez: Dec. 2. The comedian will perform at Cox Arena, San Diego State University. 8 p.m. $41.25 to $56.75. (619) 594-0234 or www.hob.com.
Enanitos Verdes: Dec. 2. Rock en español from Argentina. El Foro, Ave. Revolucíon 1500, Tijuana. 8 p.m. 100 to 350 pesos (about $10 to $35). 011-52-664-685-8676 or (619) 734-2333.
“La Pastorela”: Dec. 7-24. A traditional Mexican Christmas play. Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park. $10 to $22. www.oldglobe.org or (619) 234-5623.
Ozomatli: Dec. 20. The Latin rock band will share the stage with Quetzal at house of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego. 7 p.m. $24 to $26. (619) 299-2583.
To have your event listed, fax material at least two weeks in advance to (619) 260-5088, or e-mail the information to
eventos@enlacelink.com. Comments or questions, (619) 293-2027.
