For Your Eyes and Ears: Sam Outlaw @ Casbah Sunday December 8, 2013

Who is Sam Outlaw? According to his Facebook page, Sam is a country singer living in Los Angeles. Not exactly the first place one considers when determining the home base of a singer from that genre. Nonetheless, Mr. Outlaw is carving a nice little niche in the urban jungle to the north, and he is making his San Diego debut this Sunday at the Casbah. Opening for Nashville country/folk duo Escondido (also making their first SD appearance) makes this a great bill for those looking for some really good roots based music.

Sam released his first full length titled Nobody Loves (Black Hills Recordings) earlier this year. Twelve songs comprise the album, nicely produced and easy on the ears. This is an artist poised to take on whatever might stand in his way, with no reservations.

Check out the video about Sam Outlaw below. Tickets to see Escondido, Sam Outlaw and Derren Raser this Sunday at the Casbah can be purchased here.


SAM OUTLAW from Graham Lovelis on Vimeo.

Saturday: Vinyl Junkies Record Swap @ Casbah

Vinyl Junkies Record Swap and the Casbah are proud to announce our upcoming event on Sat. Dec. 7th! We have some exciting DJs lined up this time that your readers, listeners, viewers (and friends) will want to know about. Your efforts are really appreciated in getting this event posted in your listings and in your mentions through the various outlets. We’re all about great promotional ideas so if you’d like to do something with some record giveaways through social media, etc. (or have some other things in mind), please let us know. Or if you’d like to do a story on the resurgence of vinyl, we’re just an email away to set that up.

Vinyl Junkies Record Swap Meet

When: Sat. Dec. 7th
Hours: 11am-5pm
Where: The Casbah 2501 Kettner Blvd San Diego, CA 92101
Cost: $3 at the door
Age: 21+

DJ Schedule:

Jeff Terich (San Diego City Beat Music Editor) 11- Noon
David J (BAUHAUS/LOVE & ROCKETS) Noon-1pm
Mike Halloran (91X DJ) 1-2pm
Mike Delgado (Moving Units/Shark Attack) 2-3pm
Matt Molarius (Singer for Transfer) 3-4pm
Craig Oliver (Runs Volar Records) 4-5pm

This bi-monthly event is not your every day record swap. We're combining what everyone loves together...Records, DJs, Adult Beverages, and Food! We have lots of vendors from all over Southern California participating. Thousands of records from most all genres will be available for purchase....Soul, Jazz, Punk, Funk, Rock, Indie, R&B, Reggae, Hip Hop, Metal, Electronic, Blues, and much more. We look forward to continuing this fun event for the most discriminating of record collectors as well as those just getting into the world of vinyl.

Things To Do In San Diego: December 6-8, 2013

The internet is on fire today. Rocket From The Crypt tickets went onsale at noon and were sold out by 12:01pm. People are in disbelief, but 85 lucky people snagged the 200 tickets that fast. I messed up thinking there were 50 tickets left and got some hostility in my direction, but shit happens. There were 200 tickets, they're gone. I wonder if people think somehow the Casbah can magically accommodate 1000 people, or that they are somehow a bigger fan than everyone else and thus entitled to tickets before some lesser fan. Regardless, if you want to see some serious hating going on, check out the Casbah's Facebook wall. This weekend has a lot going on and I didn't feel like posting all of the tree-lightings and events, but San Diego Bargain Mama has a pretty thorough calendar, as does Ranch & Coast Magazine for North County holiday happenings. I'm a little sad I won't be going to either of the 91X shows- didn't get tickets for tonight and I'm working on Sunday- but this weekend will be jam-packed anyway. I'm working for Fu Manchu tomorrow, beertending for the Chargers on Sunday, then working the Professor Blastoff show at the Irenic on Sunday night. Saturday and Sunday listings are after the jump.

Friday, December 6, 2013:

• December Nights @ Balboa Park
• 91X  Holiday Bonus Show with Fitz & The Tantrums, The Airborne Toxic Event, CHVRCHES, The Royal Concept @ Valley View Casino Center
• Casbah Presents: Black Joe Lewis, Radkey @ House of Blues
• Cadillac Tramps, The Creepy Creeps, Hard Fall Hearts, The nformals @ The Casbah
• Bile, Rabid Whole, Squirrelly Arts, They Feed at Night @ The Ken Club
• Soda Bar Presents: Everytime I Die, letlive, Code Orange Kids @ The Ché Café
• Soft Lions, Spaceships, Idyllwild @ The Soda Bar
• The Palace Ballroom, State To State, Manuok, The Gods of Science @ The Griffin
• Black Hondo, Artowar, Parker & The Numberman, Daygo Produce, Djs Mr. Henshaw, Unite, Pelengue, Sesh @ The Tower Bar
• Capsula @ Black Box (Tijuana)
• The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, DJ Blow @ Seven Grand
• Queen Nation, The Police Experience @ Belly Up
• Amigo, Nite Crawlers, Chiefs @ Tin Can
• Cumbia Machin, La Sucursal De La Cumbia, La Mala Vibra @ Til-Two Club
• Growing Up Stupid, The Hallowed, Fight The Future, Impale Thy Neighbor, The Shallow End, Diminish The Opressor @ The Epicentre
• First Friday with No Sucker DJs @ Bar Pink
• The Fabulous Pelicans @ Belly Up (5:30), 
• Fred Barchetta, The Great White Zeppelin, Back 2 Black @ Brick By Brick
• Jacques Lesure Trio w/ Ty Baillie @ Dizzy's
• Patrick Lanzetta (5:00), JAM KWEST, Eddie Blunt & High Tide, Roots of Mine (9:30) @ 710 Beach Club
• Spectacular w/ DJ Ikon @ Fluxx
• Funks Most Wanted, DJ R2 @ Gallagher's
• Ruby & The Red Hots (5:00), The Groove Factory (9:00) @ Humphrey's Backstage
• 22 Kings, Cleopatra Degher, Mike James @ Lestat's
• Brent Curtis @ The Marble Room
• Nekrogoblikon, Dead Serial Killers, Damcyan, Gravespell @ Ramona Mainstage
• Blood On The Dancefloor, Farewell My Love, The Relapse Symphony, Haley Rose, Lionfight @ Soma
• ASCE Presents: The New Division @ The Loft
• Pharmacy, Hocus, Social Spit, Courage You Bastards @ The Shakedown Bar
• Leon's Old School Karaoke Show @ Tio Leo's
• Simpkin Project with special guests Piracy Conspiracy and Maitland Roots @ Winston's

My Jerusalem @ Soda Bar 12/5/2013

So I had this dilemma about shows tonight. While I was sad to miss Will Hoge at The Griffin, I was excited about seeing Pete Yorn's new band, The Olms at Casbah, only to realize it was the same night as My Jerusalem at Soda. Jeff sold me on Soda Bar by promising a drive to The Constellation Room next week for The Olms. With that, I have to say My Jerusalem was a solid choice for the night.

The band stuck to mostly new material and stuff from the second record, they threw in a few from their debut that made me feel like it was the perfect set.

Howie Day @ The Griffin, 12/4/2013

Just some snapshots from tonight. Perhaps this is the new direction of post- show review, if it works. This is just a test.

'Remember That Concert From Six Weeks Ago?' v.2: James Blake @ HOBSD- 10.25.13

Sometimes a show is memorable because you danced your ass off and/or rocked the fuck out. Sometimes a show is memorable because the performer put on an incredibly dynamic musical showcase.
James Blake has the latter down to a science.

 

For more pix from the show here, other shows here.
_________________________________
All photos © Nate Vandermeulen.  Please email with request for use.

Things To Do In San Diego: December 4-5, 2013

My favorite thing in San Diego has to be how few days of rain we get here and how pretty much every forecast gets it wrong every time. I know they have radar and satellites and all kinds of cool gadgets, and not that yesterday was "rain", but any precipitation in the sky matters on the roads and it would just be nice if they looked outside every once in a while. I was up at the ass crack of dawn but was exempted from jury duty after checkin, so it was a lovely afternoon with Darren and Nova, all drizzly and whatnot. As I said earlier in the week, I'm super busy this week and probably going to have to sacrifice some shows, but what can you do sometimes? Weekend listings came in early this week (Thanks, Jordan), so you can start planning accordingly. Wednesday and Thursday archives are after the jump.

Show Preview: Lissie at the House of Blues Wednesday December 11, 2013

photo courtesy Andrew Whitton

Elisabeth Maurus is known in music circles simply as Lissie, the singer songwriter born and raised in the Midwest. She knew at an early age that music was the clear choice for her moving forward in life. Catching a break as a chosen tour opener for Lenny Kravitz in 2008 led to recording her first full length album, Catching a Tiger (Columbia Records). Favorable reviews and touring in support of the album, mostly in Europe, helped Lissie build her fan base. In fact, she was featured on four songs from the most recent Snow Patrol album. Currently residing in the peaceful community of Ojai has helped maintain her small town roots. Lissie's sophomore full length, Back to Forever, was recently released to coincide with a late autumn tour. The album really highlights her vocal strength, while also showing her ability to play a guitar as well. Drawing on the past while looking to the future makes this a much more accessible album. This is a talented indie pop singer, maturing as a person as well as in her music.

The aforementioned tour stops here in San Diego at the House of Blues on Wednesday December 11. Be sure to arrive early for Nashville's Kopecky Family Band. This is an all ages show, tickets can be purchased here.

Watch a video of Further Away (Romance Police) by Lissie below.



Watch a video of Sleepwalking by Lissie below.

Recommended Shows in San Diego December 3-8, 2013

The first week of December has arrived with many live music options for the night crawlers. A closer look reveals some worth attending.

Guitar virtuoso Kaki King headlines an intimate gig at the Casbah on Tuesday...Together Pangea and The So So Glos co-headline for a raucous show at Soda Bar...

On Wednesday Howie Day makes a rare SD appearance at The Griffin...alternative rockers Beware of Darkness roll into Soda Bar...

Austin's My Jerusalem return to Soda Bar on Thursday..Nashville's Will Hoge headlines Soda Bar...Pete Yorn's new project The Olms make a Casbah stop...

Newly formed local band Soft Lions (Boy King, The New Kinetics) debut on Friday at Soda Bar...Electronic band The New Division will be at The Loft...

On Saturday New York duo MS MR play their rescheduled show at Soda Bar...a limited number of tix will be available at the door (get there early)...

Escondido, a folk band from Nashville, make their SD debut at the Casbah on Sunday...underrated Canadian singer Hayden headlines Soda Bar...

91X is presenting two all ages holiday shows this week, both at the Valley View Casino Center...tickets are still available for Friday's show, info can be found here...

KPRI's Holiday Soiree is on Sunday at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido...tickets can be purchased here.

This represents a slice of the musical pie awaiting music fans of all ages in San Diego...be sure to act responsibly and attend a show (or two)...

Watch a video of  Someone Else's Girl by The Olms below..



Watch a video of Cold October by Escondido below.

Things To Do In San Diego: December 2-5, 2013

I'm looking forward to so many awesome shows this week, but I also have dreaded jury duty on Tuesday, so hopefully the interwebs will keep me occupied for the day. The weekend was pretty great, though working the Chargers game is a lot more work than I'd planned when the side job was offered to me. Still, it's nice to have a little extra scratch during the holidays. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving...now on to December!

Monday, December 2, 2013:

• Anti-Monday League feat. Grizzly Business, Spero, Shane Hall & the Diabolicals @ Casbah
• Big Country Elephant, Boondock Brothers, Troup @ Soda Bar
• St Cloud Sleepers, The Flowerthief, The Dexter Riley Xperiment, Leanna May @ The Griffin
• The Tin Can Country Club feat. Fast Heart Mart @ Tin Can
• Monday Night Mass with Husky Boy All Stars @ Bar Pink
• Nightmares on Wax, Illuminauts @ Belly Up
• Wood Spider, Sledding With Tigers, more TBA @ Che Cafe
• Monday Night Madness @ House of Blues
• Industry Night @ FLUXX
• The Monday Night Spot feat Yodah & Joey Jimenez @ Henry's 
• Dave Scott & Monsoon Jazz @ Croce's
• Robin Henkel @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
• Monday Night Madness @ House of Blues
• Open Mic hosted by Chad Taggert @ Lestat's
• Karaoke @ Til-Two Club
• Electric Waste Band @ Winston's
• Karaoke @ Coyote Bar & Grill
• WG & the G-Men @ Patrick's Gaslamp Pub
• Monday Night Jams @ 710 Beach Club
• Doug Allen @ The Kraken

Things To Do In San Diego: November 29-December 1, 2013

It's Friday evening and I just got a disco nap in after unintentionally participating in some Black Friday shopping. I needed shoes, a massage, and Grossmont Center wasn't too crazy, so it worked. I know there are politics behind a Sea World membership, but all of their passes are $25 off this weekend, too, so you can grab an annual Fun Pass for $59 and I had to indulge. I'm working at The Irenic tonight and there are plenty of tickets left for Polar Bear Club, so drop by and see me, or if you're braving Tijuana, wear some comfy shoes that account for possible rain and beer spillage. The holiday was great and we still have a full weekend of music, fun, and Chargers beertending ahead of us. Weekend listings after the jump.

Friday, November 29, 2013:

• Gone Baby Gone, The Filthy Violets, The Phantoms, The Frights @ Casbah
• Casbah Presents Polar Bear Club, Citizen, Diamond Youth, Sainthood Reps @ The Irenic
• Cantaloop Media Presents The Silent Comedy, Glasmus,Love & The Skull, Madame Ur y Sus Hombres @ Black Box (Tickets at the Door, or get info for special packages with transportation at TuristaLibre.com)
• The Donkeys @ Whistle Stop
• 91X Moustache Formal with DJ Robin Roth and more @ The Lafayette (6pm)
• Fever The Ghost, Golden Beaches, Island Boy, Tiger Milk Imports @ Soda Bar
• The Beautiful View, Okayokay!, One I Red @ Tower Bar
• Irish Christmas in America @ AMSD
• Benefit For The Phillipines: Never Pass Go, The Mice, Fourtracks, Batlords, Western Settings @ Til-Two Club
• Super Buffet @ Ken Club
• Badabing, Mittens, Death By Snoo Snoo @ Tin Can
• Hello Highway, Last Call Home, So Far Gone, The End Return, Calibrate Me @ House of Blues Fifth Avenue Side Stage
• Random Radio @ Bahia Belle
• Fam Royal @ Bar Pink
• A Groundation Thanksgiving with Paula Fuga, Mike Love @ Belly Up
• Crystal Bowersox, Seth Glier @ The Griffin
• Left For Dead @ Belly Up (5:30pm)
• Serve The People Emergency Relief Fundraiser @ World Beat Center
• The Devil Wears Prada, The Ghost Inside, Volumes, Texas In July @ Soma
• The Dan Band @ House of Blues
• The New Rich, The Harpers Live @ Artlab Studios
• Renown flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny returns with Phoenix pianist Nick Manson, Justin Grinnell bass, & Duncan Moore drums @ Dizzy's
• Danielle Slathas, 23 Shades, Tyler Boone @ Lestat's
• Michele Lundeen @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (5-7pm)
• Beta Maxx @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (9pm)
• Family Affair with DJs Artistic, Felt1, Mr. Hek @ El Camino
• Rising Star @ Tio Leo's
• OB Comedy with Kim Thompson and Duante Cordova @ Winston's (6-9pm)
• In Motion Collective, Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, DJ Question & Marcellus @ Winston's 
• Gunner Gunner, Wilson Renette, Decompression @ The Shakedown
• Kirk Ward @ 710 Beach Club (5-8pm)
• High Noon, Saline Solutions, Tim & The 23s @ 710 Beach Club (9:30pm)
• Brent Curtis @ Marble Room
• Mother Mary Mood, Blood Dancer, Xolmani @ Brick By Brick
• The Beat Kitchen: Question, Charlie Rock, Freddie Joachim @ El Dorado
• Spectacular with DJ Scooter @ Fluxx
• Good Times with Rev & Yodah @ Henry's

Saturday, November 30, 2013:

• "You Play Me Yours, I'll Play You Mine: A Community Music Exchange" @ Digital Gym (2921 El Cajon Blvd, 2-4pm, More info & registration)
• Redd Kross, Octa#grape, Joel Jerome + Babies on Acid @ Casbah
• The Hollerin, Brothers Weiss, Leanna May and the Matadors, Love & The Skull @ Soda Bar
• Soda Bar & Invisible Children present Julianna Barwick, Mark McGuire (Emeralds) @ Luce Loft (1037 J St)
• Dave Buck presents A Night of Blues with Jimmy Ruelas, Gary Hankins, El Al @ Black Cat
• Diamonds In The Back with Dmitri & Co @ Whistle Stop
• Country Club with Grampa Drew & Matt Strachota @ Whistle Stop (5pm)
• Holiday Hangover feat. The Cured - The Cure tribute, Strangelove - Depeche Mode tribute, Really Idol - Billy Idol tribute, Fears for Tear - Tears for Fears tribute @ House of Blues
• 99th Floor, Schitzophonics, DJ Tony The Tiger @ Tower Bar
• The Nite Crawlers, nutstache, Masteria @ Ken Club
• A Groundation Thanksgiving with Paula Fuga, Mike Love @ Belly Up
• Funk 101 feat Stevie & The Hi-Stax, DJ Barry Thomas @ Bar Pink
• Modern Life is War, Somali Pirates, Suspect @ Che Cafe
• Viva Santana @ The Griffin
• Birdzilla, Ruben Lady, Sacri Monti @ Tin Can
• Art of Sound 4 Year Anniversary feat. DJ Harvey, Doc Martin, Paluka, Cris Herrera @ Spin
• Laura Leighe, Teresa Storch, The Santana Brothers @ Lestat's
• Judith Hill, Chyla @ House of Blues 5th Avenue Side Stage
• CD Release Event for “Conversations” from jazz guitar virtuoso Mark Augustin & transcendent vocalist Lisa Hightower @ Dizzy's
• The Reflectors @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (5-7pm)
• Detroit Underground @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (9pm)
• Full Strength Funk Band @ Tio Leo's
• The Earful, Delta Nove @ Winston's
• Middle Class Rejects @ The Shakedown
• Joe Cardillo, Dave Booda @ Marble Room
• Rock Star Saturdays with Yodah, DJ E @ Henry's
• Allison Chains, Black Sabbitch, Smack This @ Brick By Brick
• Boys & Girls vs Hickies feat. Adam Salter, Saul Q, Don't Go Jason Waterfalls @ El Dorado
• Spectacular with Sid Vicious @ Fluxx
• Danny & The Tramp, DJ Arox @ Gallagher's
• Devocean, Brothers Gow, Low Budget @ 710 Beach Club
• The Babys, The Roni Lee Group, Teaser, Burning Down @ Ramona Mainstage
• Karaoke @ Analog

Sunday, December 1, 2013:

• SoNo Park Holiday Fest & Chili Palooza @ 32nd & Thorn
• An Evening With Rufus Wainwright @ Belly Up
• Capsula, The Wooly Bandits, Zero Zero @ Casbah
• Neighbors To The North, Muscle Beech, Cut @ Soda Bar
• Poontang Clam, Batlords (Covering The Spits), DJ Matt Parker @ Til-Two Club
• City Mouse, Floor Notes @ Bar Pink
• Fat Tour 2013 feat. Less Than Jake, Anti-Flag, Masked Intruder, Get Dead @ House of Blues
• Almost Famous Karaoke @ Henry's 
• Lust For Youth, Hive Mind, Sunwheel @ The Void
• CD Release Event for jazz bassist Justin Grinnell’s debut CD featuring Josh Nelson piano, Dan Schnelle drums, & Robby Marshall woodwinds @ Dizzy's
• Legacy Pack, Destructo Bunny, DJ Chelu @ Gallagher's
• Jose Sinatra Ob-O-Ke @ Winston's
• Robin Henkel @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (10am-2pm)
• Bayou Brothers @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (7pm)
• Football Bingo/Game Night @ 710 Beach Club

For Your Eyes and Ears: Nightlands

Nightlands

The night before Thanksgiving is loaded with music options everywhere including San Diego. Might I suggest heading to Soda Bar for Nightlands, the project of Philadelphia based artist David Hartley. Oak Island (sophomore album) was recently released via Secret Canadian, and features synths and vocals evoking a dreamlike state. This is bedroom pop which is very easy on the ears. David also spends time as the bassist for the popular band The War on Drugs. Nightlands is a well conceived departure from that band, showing the creative side of Mr. Hartley. The current tour is a solo one, so he will "lay bare the arrangements that he spent so long weaving into intricate webs".

Tickets to Nightlands , StaG, and Jeans Wilder this Wednesday at Soda Bar can be purchased here.

Watch a video of I Fell in Love with a Feeling by Nightlands below.



Watch a video of To the Moon by Nightlands below.

Balboa Park Offers Annual Pass (Finally!!)

Some of you may have seen my post on Facebook or maybe you already heard elsewhere, but this is for the rest of you. Balboa Park is finally offering annual passes! With the Centennial coming in 2015, it seems about time that Balboa Park caters more to residents and not just to tourists. Yes, we've enjoyed Free Tuesdays, but they're crazy now, with herds of people, school field trips, and strollers jamming into museums during their already limited hours on a one time a month rotating basis. Forget about it if you work a day job. And Balboa Park had multi-museum passes targeting tourists, but they're expensive. I use my San Diego Zoo pass almost weekly...sometimes I want to commit to a whole day, sometimes I just need some time to think and take a ride in the Skyfari, and most of the time I'm there for some fresh air, exercise, and sunshine for a couple hours. Now that Balboa Park is offering Explorer passes, I can pop into a museum anytime and for any length of time and feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

Buy Your Passes Here

You can also buy Gift Vouchers and knock out your Christmas shopping in a few clicks!

So anyway, here's the deal. You buy annual membership, you get general admission to all of the following museums for 365 days from the date of purchase:

San Diego Museum of Man
The San Diego Museum of Art
the NAT (San Diego Natural History Museum)
Centro Cultural de la Raza
Japanese Friendship Garden
Mingei International Museum
Museum of Photographic Arts
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
San Diego Air and Space Museum
San Diego Art Institute-Museum of the Living Artist
San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum
San Diego History Center
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Timken Museum of Art
Veterans Museum and Memorial Center
World Beat Center

Pricing:
Adult $129 ~ ages 18 and up
Student $99 ~ valid for full time students with valid ID
Senior $99 ~ ages 65 and up with valid ID
Family $199 ~ Valid for up to 6 family members (up to two adults/up to four children ages 3-17. Additional children are $25 each)

And since I went into the Visitor's Center to purchase my pass today, I'll say that if you can wait the 5-7 days for your cards, just order online. If you want to go to museums immediately, go in the office, they'll have you purchase online at their old computers, and they'll give you printed booklets valid for one week with a single pass for each museum. The employees/docents/volunteers are extremely courteous, but the Explorer passes were just announced last week, so they're overwhelmed. If you can wait, just buy your own passes online.

The U-T apparently misprinted and said a family pass was up to 4 adults and 4 children. Not so. "Children" are ages 3-17, so your infants and toddlers are fine (though if they're turning three within a year, you'll want to get them their own cards). Adults are 18+. If your "child" is actually an adult, they might qualify for the student pass, or as your second adult, but otherwise will require a full adult pass for $129. In the short time I was in the office, you wouldn't believe how many people were already gaming the system. They don't question your "family" unit, but don't try and work them.

Lastly, many of the museums offer gift shop discounts and special mailers, events and newsletters to their members. The Explorer Card does NOT give any of the perks- no discounts, special exhibits, private event invites, guest passes, etc. If you have the dough, support your favorite museum or museums individually. This is for people who live on the cheap like me, and once you get over that initial purchase, you can be broke as a joke and still always have a place to go. I can't wait to take our first bike outing to museum hop with my little familial unit.

For more Balboa Park information, click here.

Friday Night: Make A Run For The Border With The Silent Comedy

My friends at Cantaloop Media are keeping busy south of the border. While we have a great music scene in San Diego, they're working feverishly to curate the same in Tijuana and I have to say, it's a bit cooler, edgier, with a DIY aesthetic, a feeling of community, and free from some of the limits we have here. Throw in a combination event with Turista Libre, and Friday night in Tijuana seems like a no-brainer. (An extra plug that Darren's Van will be working, so if you and your friends need to get from North Park, South Park, Downtown or wherever to and from the border, he's your guy.) Get your passports and head south!

Here's the deal:
The Silent Comedy
Madame Ur y Sus Hombres
Love & The Skull
Teenage Fiction
at Black Box (6th and Revolucion)
Tickets are 50 pesos at the door, ages 18+

For the Turista Libre package, you get

• transportation from border (with Derrick walking you across the border from McDonald's)
• drinks on the bus
• pre-show drink at Baja Craft Beers Tasting Room with the bands!
• entrance to the show
• return trip to U.S. border

All for $20!! Buy your tickets to reserve your spot now!

Things To Do In San Diego: November 26-28, 2013

I didn't think I'd be updating much this week, but there's a lot going on so expect a couple more posts from me before I totally check out. I'm looking forward to spending the day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park with Darren and Nova (though I appreciate all the day trip recommendations I received on Facebook) and Thanksgiving is shaping up to be a great one with m whole family around for the holiday. There's a lot of internet commotion about Black Friday and where to shop and protesting stores that are open on Thanksgiving. I'm not going to jump into the fray because I've certainly appreciated Clem's being open in the past when I realized I needed heavy whipping cream and whatnot, but I'm here to tell you that Wednesday is traditionally one of the most fun bar nights of the year, but plenty of our local stomps are open on Thanksgiving, which is great after you've had your family time, but remember that your bartenders are working. They're away from their own families so you can get your buzz. They still have to wash glasses and clean up and shut down after you're happily passed out. Spend frivolously and tip generously and you can truly #supportlocal. Wednesday through Sunday listings are after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: November 24-25, 2013

It's Sunday night and the Chargers won today, so hopefully San Diegans are ready for a lovely Thanksgiving week ahead. Darren's working tonight, so hit him up if you need him, but in the meantime, I decided I'd take the heat off of Jordan and just knock out the listings through the weekend so you can get  perspective on the week ahead. I'm with Zane again tomorrow so I'm not sure if it's going to be a pajama night or if I might venture out,  and this week should be awesome with Nova off from school, and the first Bystrak Thanksgiving in years with all the kids present (since my brother has now been stationed here). Needless to say, my parents are thrilled. I hope you get a holiday amond family and friends and people you love and who love you. Monday and Tuesday archives are after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: November 22-24, 2013

It has been a really good week- Chvrches and John Vanderslice were awesome, plus I had some fun time painting at Ceramic Cafe, hiking at Presidio Park, going to the Zoo, splashing in rain puddles, and just hanging out enjoying days with Darren and Nova, but I have a small bone to pick. The other day, a "friend" of mine suggested that I'm "paid to party" and I don't know about work. I had a lot of time to think about that when I was pulling an all-nighter on Monday night and then again on Tuesday as I caught up on work so that I could spend my days with Darren and Nova and prepare for babysitting Zane for 14 hours on Thursday and all day again on Friday. I guess when people see me at shows or having drinks or my social media posts filter out the lame and tedious stuff and just focus on time at parks or the Zoo or shows or events or spending time with my little familial unit, it might appear my life is a big party. But I consider myself fortunate to have found a way to eke out a living doing things I love, and if that means hours of email and online time while the rest of the world is asleep or slinging band merch or babysitting or making a hundred Facebook event pages, it's all so I don't have to go back to the bullshit corporate life I once lead. Everyone does what they have to do, and I don't knock anyone for what they do to get by or get ahead if that's where their ambitions lay, but I will cut a "friend" for being judgmental about how I spend my time. Good riddance, ya jerk.Weekend archives are after the jump.

On The Horizon: Judith Hill @ House of Blues Saturday November 30, 2013

Judith Hill

The name Judith Hill should be a familiar one to those who watch realty television show The Voice. Judith fared well during last year's competition, and has embarked on the latest chapter in her career, that of a touring musician. The biggest difference is that this time she will not be in the role of a backup singer, but rather will be the lead. Currently touring with Josh Groban, Judith has a headlining show downtown at the House of Blues (intimate 5th Ave side stage) on Saturday November 30.

In 2009 Miss Hill was chosen to be none other than Michael Jackson's duet partner for This Is It. His untimely death resulted in the cancellation of the tour, while Judith sang at the memorial service. The documentary 20 Feet From Stardom features a long list of performers including Judith. Her powerful voice is rooted in soul, r&b and pop, while the training and experience as a back up singer has readied her for the limelight.

Tickets to see Judith Hill at the House of Blues on November 30 can be purchased here. This is an all ages show.

Watch a video of Judith Hill performing #thatPower from The Voice.

Tonight! John Vanderslice at Soda Bar

Jeff already previewed tonight's show at Soda Bar, but we got set times. Bent Shapes will go on at 9, and John Vanderslice will play at 10pm. I love this guy and you should definitely check him out. I thought I'd share some old videos from 2007 when he performed at M-Theory and also unplugged on the Casbah smoking patio.