Friday, July 29, 2016

Upcoming Shows at The Observatory North Park (Updated 7.29.16)

It's been a few weeks since I've been able to update much around here that didn't have to do with Pride or Con. In that time, a ton of new shows have been announced, but a couple of them are going on sale today: Cold War Kids and Balance & Composure, so don't wait to grab tickets. Meanwhile, tonight Savages play and there are still tickets for the taking at the box office. As I mentioned on SoundDiego, Tim Mays rarely chimes in about bands, but after they played Casbah last year he declared it one of the best shows at the Casbah in years, which is saying a lot if you think how many shows he sees and books every year. Also, if you plan on seeing Last Shadow Puppets, don't wait to get your tickets because that one is probably going to sell out. All the Observatory shows are listed below (and after the jump).


Friday, July 29-Savages, 8pm, All Ages





Wednesday, August 3- The Claypool Lennon Delirium, JJUUJJUU, 9pm, All Ages



Friday, August 5 - The Last Shadow Puppets, 8pm, All Ages



Updated Casbah & Casbah Presents Shows (Updated 7.29.16)

I know it's been like a month since I've updated the Casbah shows around here and for that I'm sorry. We don't work on any real schedule, so there are just always shows being added. In fact, so many that you have to figure out the new ones on your own. But everything on here is on sale already or goes on sale today at 10am. Everything on the Casbah books is after the jump.

Fri Jul 29 - The Kneehighs CD Release, Parker Edison, Sodie Orr, DJ Nicksta @ The Casbah

Fri Jul 29 - Zella Day @ Quartyard

Fri Jul 29 Savages, Head Wound City @ Observatory North Park
Fri Jul 29 - Savages After Party - Head Wound City DJ Set @ The Hideout

Savages

Sat Jul 30 Oh Pep! @ The Casbah

Sun Jul 31 - HONNE @ The Casbah (SOLD OUT)

Sun Jul 31 - HONEYHONEY @ Belly Up Tavern

Sun Jul 31 - C.W. Stoneking @ Soda Bar

C.W. Stoneking

Mon Aug 01 - Sound Lupus, Oh, Spirit!, Creature Canyon @ The Casbah

Tue Aug 02 - Marissa Nadler @ The Casbah

Wed Aug 03 - Cerulean Veins, Sundrop Electric, The Bum Deals @ The Casbah

Thu Aug 04 - The Bassics, The Gargoyles @ The Casbah

Thu Aug 04 - Declan McKenna, Machineheart @ The Irenic

Thu Aug 04 - People Under the Stairs @ Belly Up Tavern

Fri Aug 05 - Taking Back Tuesday @ The Casbah

Sat Aug 06 - Vinyl Junkies Record Swap @ The Casbah ($3, 11am-5pm)

Sat Aug 06 - Stage Kids CD Release, Weatherbox, NICELY, JR Jârris @ The Casbah

Sat Aug 06 - Earthless @ Belly Up Tavern

Sun Aug 07 - Shabazz Palaces DJ Set, DJ Artistic @ The Casbah

Things To Do In San Diego: Friday, July 29-Sunday, July 31, 2016

Deep breath. This was the last week that Nova was gone so Darren and I took advantage as much as we could around our work schedules. On Monday we spent the late afternoon at the Safari Park and our favorite cheetahs came out to play for a little bit. Afterward we went to the Office as kind of a last hurrah. On Tuesday I babysat for a friend while she went to Modest Mouse, but after D and I caught a late night Korean BBQ dinner. On Wednesday afternoon, we joined my family up at Harrah's Southern California Resort which was fun just hanging by the pool and catching up in the hotel room until they all left and Darren and I got dinner, gambled for a hot minute (came out exactly 50 cents ahead than what we started with), then took naps before returning home. Then Thursday was the big day. While I worked, Darren cleaned the house top to bottom before we picked up Nova at the airport then had dinner at Phil's. So life shall go back to somewhat normal...we'll enjoy what's left of summer break before it's back to school and soccer and piano and derby and figure skating and all the running around. There are a million great shows this weekend so get out if you can! (I know I'll probably be sneaking out after bedtime!) Friday through Sunday archives are after the jump.



Monday, July 25, 2016

Things To Do In San Diego: Monday, July 25-Thursday, July 28, 2016

Comic-Con 2016 has come and gone and I did as much as I could around all my worknights and the oppressive heat. Every year I guess I feel more and more out of the loop. I haven't watched a movie in a theater in maybe 2 years? More? and so there are tons of pop culture phenomena that are just over my head. I was stoked to get to see the Silicon Valley cast at the live taping of Conan on Wednesday, and it was a treat when Thomas Middleditch turned out to be a character in the Comedy Bang Bang performance on Friday, but outside of that, I can't say there's a TV show or film that gets me all giddy. It was fun hanging out with Pyles for three of the days, so I decided of all the things I saw and shot photos of, he's my favorite part and I'm lucky to have him as one of my besties. This week things definitely mellow out, Nova comes back from Missouri, and thus we go back into parental mode. Monday through Thursday archives are after the jump.


Thursday, July 21, 2016

Things To Do In San Diego (Comic-Con Edition): Thursday, July 21-Sunday, July 24, 2016

It has been a really good week, even though it meant working my fingers off to get all of my ducks in a row so I can have a little freedom. Monday was quite an amazing experience as Darren and I went to Randall Christopher's zine release party at Verbatim Books, which unbeknownst to us, turned into a powerful performance of a film he's working on about the capture of Adolf Eichmann, including a talk by Auschwitz-Birkenau survivor Rose Schindler. Needless to say it was heavy, but amazing and inspiring, too. Someone asked, "how do you go on after such horrific atrocities?" and she responded, "You must live." So we had heavy hearts the rest of the night, but took advantage of a night in North Park, with drinks at Bar Pink, dinner at West Coast Tavern, then Madonna Undercover at The Office. Tuesday was a hellish workday trying to make sure the mass of work was somewhat tied together but I think I left off in a good spot. Then Wednesday, Pyles picked me up so we could pick up the Conan tickets he'd won, then found some no limit street parking in the vicinity of Monkey Paw. They're giving 20% off to Con customers, so we took advantage with some beer and food before catching an Uber to the Conan taping. It was really fun, but it was hot as hell in our balcony seats, so I can't say I was sad when it ended. Darren picked me up, we grabbed $5 happy hour burgers at The Balboa and then I worked at The Joy Formidable. And then I worked all night. So here we are, Thursday is gonna be crazy, and I'm gonna try to squeeze as much in as I can before leaving downtown again to get to work at The Irenic. Friday through Sunday listings are after the jump.



Thursday, July 21, 2016 (Comic-Con 2016):
  • 91X Presents AUTOLUX, Eureka The Butcher @ The Irenic
  • Culture Shock, World Inferno/Friendship Society The Downs Family, La Cantina Beat @ Casbah
  • W00tstock 8.0 A Night of Geeks & Music @ Balboa Theatre (7-11pm)
  • Panteon Rococo with Nana Pancha & Marujah @ The Observatory North Park
  • Blink 182, A Day To Remember, All American Rejects @ Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl, SDSU (SOLD OUT)
  • An Evening with Slayer @ House of Blues (Sold Out)
  • Vinnie Caruana, Brian Warren, Alive and Well, Monk Tamony @ Soda Bar
  • "Weird Al" Yankovic - The Mandatory World Tour @ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU
  • Downtown at Sundown @ Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
  • DJ Ikah Love @ Bar Pink
  • WIRED LOUNGE/PARTY @ Omni Hotel (11am-5pm, Invite Only)
  • Funny Or Die Party with Honus Honus @ Quartyard
  • MTV Fandom Fest & Fandom Awards feat. Kent Jones, Pierce the Veil and Krewella @ Petco Park (6:30pm, Awards Taping at 8pm)
  • Nerd Nite Presented by NatGeo: A Galactic Adventure to Mars @ Hotel Solamar Rooftop (7-11pm Free/Sold Out)
  • Adult Swim Nighttime on the Green: Toonami Pre-Flight @ Convention Way & 5th Ave Pier, Behind The Convention Center (Free, 18+, 8-10PM, RSVP)
  • Her Universe Fashion Show @ The Hyatt
  • Hall of (Impractical) Jokers live Q&A & Karaoke Party @ Dick's Last Resort (6:30pm, Free, Open to the Public)
  • MAC Star Trek Makeup @ MAC Gaslamp (11am-8pm)
  • Final Fantasy Gathering 2016 CosPlay Meetup @ Convention Center (stairs in the back) 2:30-3:30pm
  • BOOM! Studios Drink Up @ Odysea Bar, Hilton Bayfront (9pm-12am)
  • Carry On My Wayward Cocktails @ Analog (7:30pm-12am)
  • FatMan on Batman with Kevin Smith & Marc Bernardin @ American Comedy Co
  • Final Fantasy Live @ Jacobs Music Center at Symphony Hall
  • Jay & Silent Bob Get Old @ American Comedy Co (10pm)
  • Reckless Kelly, Nancarrow @ Belly Up
  • An Evening with Straight No Chaser @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
  • Digitour Summer Jake T. Austin, Baby Ariel, Dylan Dauzat, Weston Kourey, Dylan Murray, Ricky Thompson, Plus Many More @ Soma
  • Solstice, Warsenal, Faethom, Seraphic Disgust, Infernal Conjuration @ Brick By Brick
  • Emmanuel Walker @ Lestat's
  • Lisa Sanders @ Java Joe's
  • Alexander Jean, Mark Ballas, BC Jean, Alexa Villa, Savannah Philyaw @ Voodoo Room, House of Blues
  • Darkwave Garden @ The Bancroft
  • Wildside @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
  • Karaoke with Goldilox @ Tower Bar
  • Open Jam Session @ Winston's (6-9pm)
  • OB Hip Hop Social #24 (CD Release Party) Alowe, Atlantis Rizing, Left in Company, Fluid @ Winston's
  • Eric D-lux and Kristian Nairn @ Omnia
  • Michael vs Prince with Saul Q, Cobra Kills, B Rose, Goose^Mavrk @ El Dorado
  • YIDHRA, ATTALLA, The Great Electric Quest, Supersonic Dragon Wagon @ The Merrow
  • Rock Out Karaoke @ Tin Roof
  • Night Skool @ Henry's
  • Girls Girls Girls all female dance night with Lizeth @ Whistle Stop
  • Acid Varsity wth Lee Reynolds & Machino @ Kava Lounge
  • Dayna Stephens Quintet @ La Jolla Athenaeum
  • Billy Watson @ Tio Leo's
  • Liquid Courage Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Surviving Comic-Con 2016

Whenever there's a big event, I usually weigh in on my dos and don'ts, what to bring etc., so I'm gonna modify my festival survival with some extra stuff for Comic-con.


Here's my usual street festival list, modified for Con:
  • A refillable water bottle
  • NO FLIP FLOPS (ok, that's a personal peeve, but they're not very comfortable for 4 days)
  • Extra clothes: t-shirt & socks. It's gonna be hot and muggy this weekend.
  • Sunscreen, napkins/kleenex/baby wipes, hand sanitizer, lotion, deodorant, toothbrush- You never know where you might end up...you just might get lucky...if not, you still get stinky and sticky. To me, these are pretty much essential if I'm going to be away from home for anything more than 5 hours.
  • Camera (and backup batteries) Duh.
  • Phone (and charger). Double duh.
  • Laptop-Not for everyone, but there's a press room and free wi-fi throughout the convention center and downtown, so I expect to need mine often. I don't wanna hear shit about how I need an iPhone r iPad either, unless you're offering to buy me one.
  • Power strip- Sometimes outlets are hard to find. A power strip will let you share with others.
  • Snacks-Granola bars, jerky, string cheese, nuts...you never know how long you'll be waiting in lines. Small and compact and non-melty works best.
  • Cash- you do not want to be stuck in ATM lines
This year Comic-con is offering expanded bag check, so you don't have to lug everything around all day. The Bag Check station is located near Hall A and underneath the escalator in the lobby of Hall E, on the ground floor level of the Convention Center. The charge is $2.00 per bag.

You need to return to the Bag Check before they close as items cannot be left overnight.

The Bag Check schedule for 2010 is:
Wednesday, July 21 2:00 pm-9:00 pm
Thursday, July 22-Saturday, July 24 7:00 am-2:00 am
Sunday, July 25 7:00 am-5:00 pm
I made a map of some places below (and included some downtown 7-Elevens and Albertsons) on the map below if you're looking for some things to check out. You can also check out the East Village and Gaslamp maps from Urbanist.



View Comic-con Essentials in a larger map

Monday, July 18, 2016

Things To Do In San Diego Comic-Con Edition: Monday, July 18-Wednesday, July 20, 2016

I truly love Comic-Con Week in San Diego, but I have to tell you that it also makes my work crazy busy, so I'm exhausted before it has even begun. There's a lot to look forward to this week, however, so I'm posting this older photo (taken with my phone) because Monday night you should hit the one two punch--Randall Christopher's Zine Release at Verbatim, then Madonna Undercover at The Office to celebrate this beauty's birthday. I'll be working at the Irenic on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, which means I'll miss the Con action downtown at night, but am excited to see Conan on Wednesday, hopefully hit the Wired Party on Thursday, and enjoy some of the outside Con stuff like Adult Swim on The Green. I'll update when I can. Monday through Wednesday archives are after the jump.


Friday, July 15, 2016

Things To Do In San Diego: Friday, July 15-Sunday, July 17, 2016

I'm feeling especially opinionated as I watch the news today. The crazy attack in Nice last night was beyond tragic, but I always thought ANY attempt at mass casualties is automatically a "terrorist" attack, and not dependent on whether some radical group claims it. Maybe giving someone 'credit' is part of the problem. Last night Darren and I went to a meeting to strategize blocking the Jacobs Plan/Bypass Bridge/Parking Garage/Faulconer's Folly/Destruction of Public Space and I highly suggest you get involved here. If you're having fun with Pokemon Go, this might actually affect you now more than it did a week ago. This weekend is Pride which I imagine will be awesome though my participation is questionable with all the work I have to catch up on. Darren and I do plan on taking advantage of the awesome time when the parade has finished (around 1pm) and when the streets reopen (around 4pm) to cruise on University on our bikes. I'm working at the Casbah on Friday night and the Irenic on Sunday night, and in between, I'll be trying to finish making my Comic-Con Guide the best ever, though I guess it's never totally complete.  Today is also Opening Day, so have fun up there if you're checking out the horsies. Next Saturday is #ClearTheShelters day throughout San Diego, so guess what?! You get another photo of Ficus--who we adopted from the Humane Society just over a year ago. This one is actually taken by Darren on Thursday while I was home working. Friday through Sunday archives are after the jump. 




Monday, July 11, 2016

Upcoming Shows at Observatory North Park (Updated 7.11.16)

Here's the latest list of Observatory shows in San Diego.

Friday, July 15 - Seshollowaterboyz, 7pm, All Ages

Sunday, July 17- Saosin, 8pm, All Ages


Thursday, July 21- Panteon Rococo with Nana Pancha & Marujah, 8pm, All Ages

Friday, July 22 - Game Grumps Live!, 7pm, Al Ages

Saturday, July 23 - RJ, 7pm, All Ages

Thursday, July 28 - Mozzy, 7pm, All Ages

Friday, July 29-Savages, 8pm, All Ages



Bon Iver Returns to San Diego - October 26

This morning, the Casbah officially announced the return of Bon Iver to San Diego. The show is October 26 at Jacobs Music Center at Symphony Hall with special guest Julianna Barwick. The show will have 6pm doors and is an all ages show. Tickets will range from $55-$75 (plus fees). 

I don't have a ticket link yet, but there's an artist presale on Wednesday if you're registered and then we'll likely have a Casbah presale on Thursday. General tickets go on sale Friday at 10am. Stay tuned and I'll update with the links when I get them. 


And here's what I had to say last time they were here.

Things To Do In San Diego: Monday, July 11-Thursday, July 14, 2016

It's so hard to write about regular life when last week was so intense on a national level, but I'm gonna just carry on because I have nothing to chime in that hasn't been said and Facebook is a much better platform for me to filter out my racist friends anyway. Personally, it was a pretty sweet week. We heard from Nova a couple times, and when I wasn't working myself cross-eyed, Darren and I had some fun. On Wednesday, for example, we had a nice afternoon at the Safari Park only to realize the Mitski show at the Observatory OC was the same day and not Thursday like we'd thought. That was kind of chaotic, driving from Escondido straight to the show, arriving at the end of Japanese Breakfast's set but Mitski was amazing, making it all worth it. I maybe need to be a little less distracted in my life. I'll blame the extra busy work week and prepping for the big DoSD show on Saturday at the Casbah, which went off without a hitch, thankfully. I'm also trying to get my Comic-Con Guide up to speed and it is really so much work, but you can see what I've got so far here. (Also in the tabs along the top of the site, or in the pull-down menu on the mobile site) This week is Pride and the All Star Game, so it will be a busy week around town and you should have no problem finding fun stuff to do. Monday through Thursday archives are after the jump.



Tuesday, July 05, 2016

Things To Do In San Diego: Tuesday, July 5-Sunday, July 10, 2016

I haven't had such a relaxing weekend in ages. Nova being gone is hard, but the thing about kids is they need stuff, like, all the time. I'm a grownup and I can eat what I want, when I want, but with a kid, there's gotta be like three actual meals a day. And if I want to just sleep all day and then work on the internet for 10 hours straight while watching Chelsea Handler on Netflix to get caught up, I can. And I did. I'm having fun going out with Darren, too. We went to the Schizophonics Soul Revue at the Casbah on Friday, Saturday we took the dog to renew her prescription of NexGuard and walked a few miles around the Kumeyaay Lake area in Mission Trails, Sunday we went to karaoke and Monday we went to a 4th of July party for a couple hours. Mostly though, I got a shit ton of work done. That feeling is the best. Tuesday through Sunday archives are after the jump.



Friday, July 01, 2016

Things To Do In San Diego: Friday, July 1 -Monday, July 4, 2016

It's Friday evening and I'm laying on my bed enjoying the perfect breeze that only happens this time of day with certain weather when I leave my balcony and front door open simultaneously. I should be motivating soon to The Lafayette, but decided to take advantage of the empty house while Darren works so I can get my email inboxes down to near-zero. Nova is now in St. Louis for a month and I have some extensive to-do lists to work through while she's gone. I decided to update listings at the last minute so they're easier to navigate this weekend. Have a good one out there and stay safe! Friday through Monday archives are after the jump. 



Upcoming Casbah & Casbah Presents Shows (Update 7.1.2016)

I don't know about you, but I cannot wait for this weekend. I've updated all of the Casbah shows, including the adds that I only listed last week while I was on vacation. The summer is looking pretty great for Casbah and Casbah presents shows. Shows through midmonth are below, and everything else on the books is after the jump.


Fri Jul 01 - Schizophonics Soul Revue, The Magnificent with Mighty Manfred, The RaveUps, DJ Claire & Mr Mazee @ Casbah 

Sat Jul 02 - Kevin Morby, Big Thief @ Casbah

Kevin Morby
Sun Jul 03 - Booty Bassment @ The Casbah

Wed Jul 06 - Joe Pug @ The Casbah

Thu Jul 07 - Big Bloom (Album Release), Splavender, the Bad Vibes @ The Casbah

Fri Jul 08 - Big Sandy and His Flyrite Boys, Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics, Hotshot Drifters @ The Casbah

Sat Jul 09 White Lung, Plague Vendor @ The Casbah

Sun Jul 10 - Kyle Craft @ The Casbah

Mon Jul 11 - Parker Milsap, Travis Linville @ The Casbah

Tue Jul 12 - Smoke Season, Caught a Ghost @ The Casbah

Tue Jul 12 - M Ward, Nice As Fuck (NAF) @ Belly Up Tavern

Wed Jul 13 - Wheeler Walker Jr., Birdcloud @ Casbah

Thu Jul 14 - Deerhoof, Skating Polly, Weird Night @ The Casbah

Fri Jul 15 - Phoebe Ryan, Cardiknox, Secret Weapons @ The Casbah

Fri Jul 15 - We Are Scientists @ House of Blues - Voodoo Room