Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, October 3-Wednesday, October 9, 2024: Oktoberfest | Clairo | Dashboard Confessional | DVG | Nation of Language | Avett Brothers | Field Guide | Damien Jurado | Clikitat Ikatowi | Carina Round |

Damien Jurado (Taken 3.7.24)

There are a couple shows I'm working on that are really struggling to sell tickets, and now looking at this week's listings, I can see why. There is so much going on this weekend. There are a ton of amazing tours rolling into town, Oktoberfests, and now the Padres playing the Dodgers this weekend, it's gonna be pretty bananas. If your band is playing somewhere and it seems underattended, you should definitely not feel bad about it. Plus, we're rolling into another heat wave, so that isn't really gonna help the whole vibe of the weekend. Of course I'm a "Zoopie", so HalGLOWeen kicks off this weekend at San Diego Zoo with a member preview night on Friday and the Autumn Festival kicks off at Safari Park with a member preview night on Saturday. It's a lot. I've got my brother in town, I'm working for Clairo, we're going to El Cajon Oktoberfest on Sunday, and I'm working for Clikitat Ikatowi on Tuesday. I'd love to get in a few more things, like perhaps going to the Damien Jurado show at Lou Lou's on Monday, but I'll have to see how it all goes. I hope you can find your own adventures, too. It's a great week to be a San Diegan. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, September 26-Wednesday, October 2, 2024: illuminati hotties | Fontaines DC| Acid Mothers Temple| Goth Babe| Green Day| Tokyo Police Club| Jason Mraz| Lucinda Williams|

Look, I love my birthday, but could we have maybe spread some of these shows out over time? Look at these nightly shows!! Friday is crazy. On my actual birthday, Saturday, there are at least 6 shows I would go to any other night of the week, including the show I'll be working at the Casbah. It actually kinda concerns me...I feel like we're about to hit a music recession. Take a minute to read this: So many music festivals have been canceled this year. What's going on? (NPR, 9.17.24) and then push that out...if bands aren't playing festivals, they're touring more than ever, but the audience for live music doesn't seem to be growing, so one big show can siphon the audiences and the resources for a trickle of many others. Of course the biggies aren't hurting, they're the ones setting the pricing and ticketing so exorbitantly high which ripples to what bands expect. When smaller bands that should be playing smaller independent venues have marketing teams of a dozen people, how are all of those people being paid?? Too many cooks in the kitchen, if you ask me. But we love music. So I know times are tough and money can be tight, but these days, going to a show, and choosing which shows to go to, is almost a political statement. Make it count. 

Stay safe out there.  

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: County Gaslights Citizens About Dangers of TJ River | SDUSD Wasted $ On Turf, Not On Classrooms | Congress Agrees To Funding Deal Beyond Election|

Baby Francois Langur Yezi, Born April 14, 2024 (taken 8.31.24)

Not gonna lie, I'm feeling pretty worn down this week. I worked at Music Box on Thursday night and decided to have a super late night at Black Cat which turned into morning, and then I worked on Friday at Panama 66 and then had a family BBQ at my mom's then worked Saturday night at Adams Avenue Street Fair and as much as I would have liked to just sleep all day Sunday, I thought walking the zoo in the afternoon would give me fresh air and I'd be all better on Monday, but the truth is, I still feel pretty run down. I fully intend to sleep normal human hours tonight, but then I'm working at the Casbah on Tuesday night, so I'm sucking it up, drinking my fluids, overconsuming my vitamins, and just trying to keep whatever this thing is at bay. (It's not COVID, I obviously tested for that the second I felt a sniffle.) I spent a lot of my Sunday transferring photos from my camera to my laptop (thus the month old photo above), I finished watching The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (after which I canceled Hulu), and am all caught up on Housewives (which is so bad, I may cancel Peacock, too). When I'm in public, I'm trying to avoid people, signaled by wearing my giant headphones, on which I've been binge-listening to the podcast "Something Was Wrong" and am currently in season 3, which is bonkers. 

Anyway, I want to get a jump on listings this week, which is why I'm wrapping up this latest diary post. It's just easier to get my brain straight and stay on top of my work week that way. 
Stay safe *and healthy* out there. 

 

• SAN DIEGO LOCALS:
• Supervisor Vargas: There’s No Toxic Gas Concern in Tijuana River Valley. County air quality and public health experts combat alarm over toxic gas reports from university researchers in South Bay. - Voice of San Diego (9.11.24)
• Ed Note: Kim Prather was at the forefront of COVID science about aerosolized particles months, if not years, before it was acknowledged and accepted by the CDC and others. I'm gonna trust her on this one. 
• Cross-border sewage: Officials call for state of emergency amid toxic gas concerns - City News Service/kpbs (9.9.24)
• County Board Adopts 2024 Climate Action Plan - County News Center (9.12.24)
• Billions of Dollars Later, Some San Diego Unified Students Still Dealing with Hot Classrooms - Voice of San Diego (9.12.24)
• Toby had Open House at Hoover High on 9.19.24, where I asked the principal about hot classrooms and was assured that ALL A/C units in the school are currently working, that there was only one day that any units were down, and the school always has a contingency plan...where classrooms are too hot, students may choose to go to a "cool zone" like the library, or teachers have alternate rooms where they can take their classes. The principal also comically pointed out that one of the students interviewed by the news and was complaining about how hot it was was called out by another student during the interview, "Bruh, you're wearing a hoodie!!" 
• California Is 2024’s Most Diverse State in America – WalletHub Study (9.17.24)
• State Declares Citrus Quarantine in Fallbrook - County News Center (9.17.24)
• ZOO GOSS:
• Veterinarians successfully perform C-section for a North American porcupine - AP News (9.17.24)
• In spring of 2024, rumors swirled that Mandazzi, the now 22 year old silverback, was to be transferred to Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, where two females have been determined by the SSP to be matches for him to start a family. Weather and other delays occurred and the move never happened. Now the rumors are back...that the crate has returned for him to train with and the plan is back in motion to "marry him off", so to speak. Obviously we're all heartbroken that he could be leaving any day, but also want to see him thrive with his own troop. Ekuba hasn't taken too kindly to the presence of the transport crate and there's been a noticeable change in his behavior, so while Tuesday is International Gorilla Day, we'll all send him all the extra lovey vibes and just hope if and when a transition does happen, everyone knows what they're doing and minimizes the destabilization in the bachelor troop left behind. 
• In other zoo goss, there's a zoo in Seattle called Woodland Park Zoo. For a long time, they had two female river hippos, Lily and Lupe. Earlier this year, Lily was diagnosed with cancer and the decision was made to humanely euthanize her, leaving Lupe alone. Hippos are very social animals and in the wild can live in "bloats" with up to 30 hippos! Woodland Park made it clear that they had no intention of upgrading their 40+ year old habitat and would seek to rehome Lupe within the AZA. 
  Enter San Diego Zoo. Otis, the male and longtime partner of Funani, passed away a couple years back, after which time Fu and daughter Amahle were moved so their habitat could be renovated. Because of residual COVID supply chain issues (or whatever), the reno took a super long time, but the girls finally moved back into their habitat in March of this year. With Funani too old to reproduce at 42ish --while the number changes, it is said she has had 13 calves!!--it is a very strong possibility Lupe, in her mid-twenties, may be headed to San Diego to be an "Auntie" to Amahle. Lupe's last day on habitat in Seattle is 9.24.24, after which the receiving zoo will be able to announce the impending arrival. Will it be San Diego??? I can't wait to find out!! 
• SEA WORLD GOSS:
• "Little Miss Walrus" is an orphaned walrus that was taken in by the Alaska Sea Life Center a couple months back (7.22.24). She's been under 24 hour care since she was brought in and has been rehabilitated enough to live her life at another facility. (Because she was orphaned so young, her release into the wild is not possible.) 
• Our animal care team has been working diligently to create positive associations with her large, secure kennel through feeding and playtime. She’s doing AMAZING! In fact, she has independently chosen to enter the transport unit multiple times to play and rest, showing great confidence.
  
  This is a significant step as we prepare for her upcoming move to the lower 48, where she’ll join other walruses in human care. We know you’re curious about her destination — stay tuned for TWO major announcements tomorrow! @AlaskaSeaLifeCenter (9.23.24)

• There are only three facilities in "the lower 48" that still care for walruses: SeaWorld Orlando, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, and SeaWorld San Diego. SWSD sent care specialists to help care for Little Miss Walrus, and presently only has two walruses after the passing of Mitik and Kulu and the move of Chou Chou to Orlando. FINGERS CROSSED this beautiful little baby girl will come join Basa and Dozer at SeaWorld San Diego! All this to say, I haven't heard anything...no speculation or gossip whatsoever...just my hope...though looking at Point Defiance, they have two younger wallys and all the recent wallys at SeaWorld came from Point Defiance at some point...Dozer, Mitik, Basilla, and Kulu. I guess the reveal will come on Tuesday, so fingers crossed!! 
  
• UPDATE: Little Miss Walrus  is going to Sea World Orlando. So maybe our Chou Chou will foster and love her. 
• POLITICS:
• The debate between Harris and Trump wasn't close and 4 other takeaways - NPR/kpbs (9.11.24)
• No government shutdown for now: Congress agrees on temporary funding deal into December - USA Today (9.22.24)
• NEWS:
• Announcing Online Passport Renewal!! - US State Dept Press Statement (9.18.24)
• Renew Online Here - Travel.State.Gov
• OTHER READING:
• Women Much More Likely to Face Violence from Partners - Statista (9.13.24)
• Can captive tigers be part of the effort to save wild populations? - Phys.Org (9.19.24)
• COVID-19/AVIAN FLU/DENGUE/HEALTH/WELLNESS:
• COVID-19:
• CDC Data Tracker: New Weekly Updates on Fall and Winter Virus Season 
• COVID variant XEC sees rapid global growth: What to know about the new strain - USA Today (9.18.24)
• WELLNESS:
• Higher suicide rates tied to lack of basics: Internet, insurance, income, CDC says - USA Today (9.10.24)
• AVIAN FLU
• Bird Flu Detected in Wastewater, But Not In People - County New Center (9.16.24)
• The Bird Flu Outbreak Takes a Mysterious Turn. US health officials say they don’t know how a patient in Missouri contracted bird flu. - Wired (9.13.24)
• Mysterious bird flu case in Missouri was similar to strain circulating in cattle, CDC says - CNN (9.16.24)
• DENGUE/EEE/Mosquitoes:
• Bird Tests Positive for West Nile Virus - County News Center (9.13.24)
• Hantavirus Found in Mice at San Onofre State Campground - County News Center (9.16.24)

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, September 19-Wednesday, September 25, 2024: Adams Avenue Street Fair | ArtWalk | Super Girl Surf | The Stews | Indigo Girls | Ben Folds | Federico Aubele |

You Guys!! This week is BONKERS! Adams Avenue Street Fair alone is a big deal, but then there's ArtWalk Carlsbad, the Super Girl Surf Pro free concerts at Oceanside Pier, a bunch of state park and coastal cleanups, plus all the regular shows all over town. And on Sunday, Restaurant Week kicks off, as does Banned Books Week. Sheesh. For me, I'll be working at Music Box on Thursday, possible working at Adams Ave on Saturday, and working at Casbah on Tuesday. Not sure what other things I'll do in between besides my usual. I just know I'll be enjoying the cool temperatures before the heat kicks back in this weekend. Ugh. I would like to just fast forward through all the hot parts, ya know? 

Stay safe out there. Thanks to those of you who let me know you still use these listings. I'll try to whine less about doing them.

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, September 12-Wednesday, September 18, 2024: Sea Wolf | MICO | Why?| Bush| The Frights| Elefante | Ray Lamontagne | Rodrigo y Gabriela| Hozier | Baby Bushka | Peter Hook |

Sea Wolf at Soda Bar (Taken 2.18.2023)

I really hope some of you are still using these listings, because they literally keep me up at night trying to get them done, still do my actual job, and still have a life outside of sitting on my ass with my laptop. The temps have finally dropped in San Diego, so I'm looking forward to getting the van out of the shop and maybe going on a little adventure next week. I had a slew of merch nights coming up, but some canceled, so it might actually allow me to go to some things I thought I was gonna miss. On Thursday, you can find me working the door at MICO at Quartyard, and hopefully after I'll have time to zip over and catch Sea Wolf at the Casbah. (A lot of that depends on my transpo sitch). Friday I was supposed to work for Jordy Searcy, but they don't need me anymore, so maybe I'll go see Elefante, since I've been feeling my Rock En Español vibes lately. I don't know if I missed my window to accept an invitation to Ray LaMontagne & Gregory Alan Isakov on Saturday, but I might reach out for that one and see what happens. Other than that, I'm going to live up the San Diego life while our weather gets back to perfect, at least for the next week or so. 

Stay safe out there and make sure you're registered to vote. 

#HarrisWalz2024

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Kamala Harris Ate TFG | Toxic Sewage Gets Studied | Fireworks Decimated Protected Birds | Gas Prices To Rise (Before An Election? No!) | New Worries: Avian Flu, Dengue, EEE

Kaja Giving TFG A Big Middle Finger (Taken 9.4.24)

My mom and I went to the Old Globe to see Henry 6. We saw the first part, Flowers and France, last week, and then saw the second part, Riot and Reckoning on Tuesday. We really enjoyed both parts and the staging and production were cool, though I did kinda have to laugh at the many fight scenes because it was like a LARPers fantasy come true. I didn't know the material going in and it always takes a minute to get in the rhythm of Shakespeare, but if you have the chance to see both parts, it's well worth your time, and it appeared there were open seats on both of the nights we went. 

However, Tuesday was also the Harris v Trump presidential debate. Being that Tuesday is when I try to get my listings at least started for my Thursday publish date, I am watching it on YouTube, and let me assure you, I've had to take many, many breaks. It is painful to watch TFG-- lying liar who lies--talk at all, let alone the nonsense he was spewing. What a disgrace of a human. When he was famous in the 80s, I detested him. His appearances on TV and movies and in print made me feel so icky, even as a little girl. I continued to detest him and his shitty golf courses and casinos and his creepiness in the beauty pageants. Then his stupid fucking show in the Aughts and then his whole birther movement (the rebirth of white supremacists saying the quiet parts out loud) and then when he ran and won...like seriously, America. We need to right this wrong that he was even allowed near the White House and make him go away forever, preferably in a tiny jail cell where he belongs for the remainder of his natural life.  

Stay safe out there. You know the assignment.    

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, September 5-Wednesday, September 11, 2024: The Messthetics | Dougie Poole | Keane | Vance Joy | Lucy's Fur Coat | The Polyphonic Spree | Bonnie Raitt |Soul Coughing | Gardens & Villa | P!NK |

I was thinking that September would be a chill and quiet month with just Adams Avenue Street Fair to look forward to, but these listings are crazy! I'm actually going to see both parts of Henry 6 with my mom this week, plus have a couple merch nights in between, so I'm already feeling over-committed for the week. Plus it's gonna be crazy ass hot so maybe when I'm not working, I'll just go find an air-conditioned spot to hang out in. Too bad our kid isn't into ice skating because The Kroc Center was always ideal for heatwaves. Whatever shows or events you choose this week, stay cool and stay hydrated. We don't need people passing out or getting ill from heat-related causes. Stay safe out there. 

Side note: I'm removing North Coast Rep Theatre from my listings. The only way to access their calendar is to now subscribe as a patron first, and I'm not willing to do that. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, August 29-Wednesday, September 4, 2024: Ramona | RIKI | Counting Crows | Las Cafeteras | Pato Banton | Moenia | Midge Ure | Thievery Corporation | Zheani |

I am really, really, enjoying this week. There's a little bit of a lull in summer touring so things aren't bananas every single day, and I can even tell all the band agents are publicists are taking a light week, if they're even working at all, just by the ever so slight decrease in my email volume. I know it is the calm before the storm, however, because as soon as Labor Day passes, it will be full steam ahead with everyone busting my ass for promotion. So let me ask you this little favor. If you're a person who loves going to shows, take a look at our Casbah calendar for September and BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE. Obviously for most local shows, you can and should just pay at the door, but for touring bands, your early purchase not only demonstrates that the artist has support in this market, but the agent considers the buying patterns when booking other bands on their rosters and routing them through San Diego. It makes a huge difference with the kinds of shows we get here in San Diego or whether artists skip us on their loops from Arizona to LA. Keep our little music dream alive as we buckle up for the sprint from Labor Day to Thanksgiving. 

Stay safe out there. 

Rosey's Diary: San Diego Is Expensive (Duh!) | DOJ Files Suit Against Rent-Setting Algorithm | New COVID Vaccine Available | San Diego Zoo To End Late Hours & Kangaroo Bus Service |

Xin Bao (4 yo Female, Taken 8.27.24)

I haven't done a diary link post in awhile, but there were some emails and links that I had building up, so I wanted to make sure to share this before I get to this week's listings. 

Things have been mostly good. Toby is back in school, has been very busy with marching band and also was accepted to San Diego Youth Symphony and is learning to play stand-up bass. We hardly see him, but we hope that is a good thing. His trip to Finland was good overall, though a bit eye-opening as he encountered a lot of anti-LGBTQ attitudes and Nationalist points of view that he didn't really expect. 

Darren is busy at work and exhausted after work as they've been working on fire-breaking urban canyons which is a ton of manual labor. He had a work thing last week at Bowlero with his work friends and we had fun bowling for the first time in maybe a decade, but as we were leaving, I was SHOT AT by some asshole teens with I don't know- an airgun? a pellet gun? I don't know my mock-assault weapons, but I was hit in the forehead by something and it was completely terrifying even though I was uninjured and whatever hit me didn't break skin. The thought some kids can just race through a cul-de-sac and open fire with anything is pretty scary. Apparently it was part of a shooting spree they went on throughout the Eastlake area of Chula Vista to terrorize their neighbors. I reported it to police, but I don't expect anything to happen. Someday those little shits will shoot at someone who will quickly retaliate with real bullets and it will be a whole different situation. I hate all guns in all forms and blah blah there are certain reasons to have them whatever whatever. I hate them all and ammosexuals can seriously GFY. 

Back to talking about joyful things: I've probably, so far, already taken about 3000 photos of the pandas, most of which will never be shared because, well, that's a lot. Not exaggerating. I'm sharing just a few of my latest from Tuesday.  

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, August 22-Wednesday, August 28, 2024: Tiltwheel | IDAHO | Ghostland Observatory | Dale Crover | Sweet & Tender Hooligans | Gary Clark, Jr. | Lizzy & The Triggermen |

Obviously there was great relief for me being able to be back home and also getting the van fixed and then the kid getting home from Finland and getting back to school and kicking off his senior year. While I've been spending a lot of time at the zoo, I've been taking advantage of seeing the pandas as much as possible, trying to find the best viewing times, learning their habits, when they're active, etc. I gotta be honest though, I can't wait for it to be cold...or at least hoodie weather, because I think they're gonna really love it. Work is pretty busy which actually has me busting ass and going to sleep earlier and waking up earlier than usual for me, and I kinda like it. But of course, these listings took a while so maybe Thursday will be more low-key for me. I don't have any big show plans this week, but I will be working for Lucky Daye on Sunday and maybe if I can get my Casbah newsletter done earlier, I'll head to the Dave Dick fundraiser. Have a great week! 

Stay safe out there.