Well, the one we’ve been waiting for is now less than a week away – La Pocha Nostra performs the New Barbarian Collection Winter 08 next Saturday, Dec. 6th – one performance only for Sushi’s big Grand Opening. I’m hoping to get some face time with Guillermo Gomez Pena this week to shoot a video interview to share with you, so stay tuned.

New Barbarians. Zach Gross, 2007

The scope of the evening has expanded, so I’m going to let you know what I know at this point. The guests (who should be dressed glamorously or creatively – I guess that means anything goes, right?) will be gathering at Jsix for food fit for barbarians. I’m thinking large turkey legs and hunks of meat. But Jsix always does such a great job that I’m sure they will put a delicious and humorous twist on the menu (I’ll see if I can nab that for an early preview). Following drinking and dining, the whole crowd, including the troupe of La Pocha Nostra will parade down J St. to Sushi. Everyone will walk the red carpet and head into the new space where there will be a no-host bar (I think) and mingling with the performers. The most fashionable, outrageous, creative in the crowd will be hand-picked by the performers to sit in the front row of the catwalk. So if you want front row, you know what you need to do.

The show, which I believe has a couple of acts will then commence. Following the performance (which has me most nervous – well, have you seen the photos? This is the stuff that could potentially make me fidget or worse, faint) the crowd will carry back to Jsix Bar for cocktails and no doubt a debrief on what the hell they just saw. Am I making it sound crazy? I expect no less from La Pocha Nostra. Are you in? It will be THE most incredible night in San Diego in the month of December, I guarantee it. I am definitely there. Ambivalance and all.

BTW, did you see the article about Sushi on the front page of the SDUnion-Tribune Arts section. Take a read. It tells the story well.