CityBeat RED LIST - March 5, 2010 - March 5, 2010     DIGABLE DRINKING According to a recent story in Wired, Ted Breaux is a chemist and environmental microbiologist by training who also happens to be obsessed with absinthe. He's "made understanding the drink his life's work," the article says. From 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 5, Breaux will be in the lounge/bar of Currant (140 West Broadway, Downtown), talking about the drink's history, the complex science behind serving it and, perhaps, how you can get a bottle of Nouvelle-Orleans, his French-distilled version of the liqueur. www.currantrestaurant.com   DIGABLE ART & FILM It's been three years since the last Spike & Mike Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation (trivia: the Mike of the duo passed away more than 15 years ago). So, is it still as sick and twisted? CityBeat's Anders Wright talked to Spike (aka Craig Dexter) a few issues back. Dexter promised: "We aren't getting gentler." But, he added, the animated shorts are "more sophisticated and artistic." Check out how the film fest that you first saw when you were---what? 17?---has fared. At 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 5, and 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13 and 20, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego screens the film fest at its La Jolla location (700 Prospect St.) Get there early to get your tix and check out the museum's current display of contemporary art, including a couple of Warhols, Lichtensteins, a Cindy Sherman and more. www.mcasd.org   DIGABLE WEEKEND ROUND-UP Need help with your weekend plans? Junc Boutique (2205 Fern St., South Park) just launched a buy-one-get-one-half-off sale (runs through March 20). shopjuncboutique.com. Red Velvet Wine Bar's opened in Little Italy (750 West Fir St.). Yeah, so we've not yet been there, but the name's so darn cool, we'll be checking it out this weekend. Speaking of new spots, The Smoking Goat (3408 30th St., North Park), with its Bells & Whistles-designed interior (they're the folks behind Starlite's decor) is getting rave reviews for its French-inspired cuisine. No liquor license yet, but they're working on it. Stop by Sushi Performance & Visual Art from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 5, to check out the opening of Family Matters; curator Brian Goeltzenleuchter's a visionary dude and we're pretty excited about this show (390 11th St., Downtown). Last but not least, Noel-Baza Fine Art (2165 India St., Little Italy) opens an exhibit of Hugo Crosthwaite's work on Friday, March 5. He's the immensely talented artist whose sketches and drawing-in-progress are currently on display at the San Diego Museum of Art. www.noel-baza.com     Follow us on Twitter!           CityBeat tweeps: @SDCityBeat @CombsSeth @drolland @citybeatkelly @anderswright @davemaass Get on the CityBeat Party Bus to the Belly Up! Celebrate the CityBeat Local Music Issue on our Double-Decker Party Bus to the Belly Up, on Thursday March 11. The bus leaves North Park at 7pm and returns at the conclusion of the show. The cost is only $15 per person for the ride, and we will add a ticket to the Belly Up plus an adult refreshment on the bus. Anyone 21 and over can attend, but everyone must pay in advance to be on the CityBeat Party Bus! So if you want to join us for a great evening of drinks, music, and fun, simply email Adrian at adriano@sdcitybeat.com He will make advance ticket reservations with you. PS If you want to just take in the show without the bus ride, head to the Belly Up for a great night of music featuring several incredible, up and coming San Diego artists....Beaters, Wirepony, Maren Parusel and Jenn Grenels....all for only $9! And a portion of the ticket sales will benefit the San Diego Music Foundation, and the Taylor Guitars for Schools program.