Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, June 26-Wednesday, July 9. 2025: Shakira | John Garcia (KYUSS) | LA Witch | The Sess | Throw Rag | moondaddy | Gothic Summer Dance Party | Ryan Blue & The Bis |

I haven't posted a diary in a minute because the news happens so fast. The 24 hour news cycle has become the 8 hour news cycle and it's really hard to filter and keep up. My "Read Later" folder is bursting at the seams, but I've learned I can't read and also listen to my "Watch Later" streams on YouTube, my long list of waiting podcasts, and the great audiobooks I've checked out from the San Diego Public Library, which thankfully, remains unaffected online when in-person hours get used as negotiating tools for the City budget.

I thought that I was going to go back up to Big Bear next week, so I decided to do TWO weeks of listings, but now I have some gigs, so whether or not the trip happens, you still get listings all the way through July 9th. That means it includes the holiday, but it's also the end of a month, so I will try to update at least once next week, as certain venues post up their July calendars. If you want all the haps with Independence Day fireworks and stuff, you can literally find that in every other media source in San Diego. 

In the meantime, let's all just take a minute to slow down and breathe and enjoy this beautiful area we call home, even if there's an abundance of cracks and faults --here and in this state, and in this country under TFG--that can make us all spiral. Find some joy. There is a lot to be had. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum.  

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, June 19-Wednesday, June 25, 2025: Rhiannon Giddens | Julie Doiron | Jake Shimabukuro | Wu-Tang Clan | Pip Lewis Residency | Spacehog & EMF | Tommy Newport |

I am feeling so good right now. It was so great to see the turnout for the No Kings marches across the country on Saturday, and even though I wasn't there in person, it was invigorating to see so many stand up. We're still having family stuff and graduation stuff and post-op stuff over here, so I felt there in spirit even if not in person. I've also been consuming the entire Karen Read trial via Emily D Baker on YouTube, so it felt like some vindication that she was found not guilty for a murder she very obviously didn't commit. With my case over, I definitely need more content in my life, because I tried watching Love Island and it is so cringe, and the reality shows I used to enjoy just drive me bananas these days. Like get Jax Taylor off all television programs already. 

But this is supposed to be a music site, and there are lots of fun things happening right now. The San Diego County Fair is obviously a solid choice, and all of our favorite spots are keeping their calendars busy even as summer attendance drops off. If you want to keep your favorite spots alive, definitely check out a show or two, even if you're unfamiliar with the bands, because they're all struggling right about now. Also, this week I'm leaving off a venue because it is disgraceful that they're hosting a killing machine show. Not participating or endorsing here. 

Enjoy the holiday if you get to celebrate with a day off. 

Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, June 12-Wednesday, June 18, 2025: San Diego County Fair | Chuck Prophet | benches | California Honeydrops | Valerie June | Preoccupations | Oso Oso | Winona Fighter | Kurt Vile and More!!

San Diego County Fair (6.11.25)

The San Diego County Fair kicked off on Wednesday and I had the pleasure of making a day of it. In the past, I've been a judge for the Battle of the Bands or received some comp tickets and as much as I love Darren and Toby, they are no fun at the Fair, so I don't think I've been since before COVID. This time around, I invited one of my zoo friends and she was game to explore the whole thing, or as much as we could cover in a day, and we sampled a bunch of food and drinks, went to Destination Unknown, the pop-up speakeasy, even played some impossible games in the fun zones and finished the night watching Ozomatli while we enjoyed Cherry Blossom Dubai Chocolate Strawberries from Ricky's Sweet Paradise. I always forget just how many things are going on at once, so I get how people buy season passes or return several times throughout the season. If you do plan on going, get your discounts at Vons/Albertson's, or get your hands on the Costco bundles while you still can. Also know that if you purchase tickets to one of the events at The Sound or reserved seats for the Grandstand, it includes your fair admission. 

There is a lot going on this week in addition to the Fair. I'll be at the Casbah tonight for Chuck Prophet, but then we've got family stuff, with my niece graduating and having a party and Father's Day on Sunday, we'll be jammed with stuff. Hopefully this June Gloom persists, because we know we'll get plenty of hot days and summer sun later on. I'd like to keep needing a hoodie for as long as possible. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Time To Vote For Paloma | San Diego Budget Passes On The Faith Of Balboa Park Parking Revenue | Council Approves Trash Fee | TFG Turns Military On LA |

 

Me and My Beluga Buddy (6.11.25)

We are living in really bonkers times and as much as I want to talk about all the bullshit happening in LA and the stupid fucker in the White House, the fatigue is real. If anything is to be said, it is that the whole lot of them just do a whole bunch of insane things so often, that we can hardly keep up. If you're just exhausted but need to keep up in small doses, I highly recommend subscribing to Heather Cox Richardson's "Letters To An American" newsletter or podcast. I like the pod more, because I can listen at 1.5x and know what's going on without stewing on the outrage for any more time than it warrants. 

Besides all the madness manufactured by TFG in LA, San Diego was having issues of its own, with the Council approving the fee for trash collection and then passing the budget, with the belief that revenues to fill the funding gaps will be collected by charging for parking at Balboa Park and the Zoo, by charging for Sunday parking at meters, by adding more meters throughout the City, increasing meter rates with flexible rates "during special events" (which could literally be every Padres game, every show at Gallagher Square and The Shell, any convention) and by adding fees to credit card transaction to pay for parking (when it is the only option at most meters, at least the ones that actually work). The thing that pisses me off the most, obviously, is charging at parks like Balboa Park and Mission Bay. It is a backdoor way, especially at Mission Bay, to deal, or rather, NOT deal, with homelessness and people living in vehicles and it is fucked up. Additionally, the City is always outsourcing this shit, so they have to SPEND an additional $300k just to get the paid parking initiated in Balboa Park, all so we know that Ace will get a fat contract? Make it make sense!! 

Blah. So much going on and I need to sleep. Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, June 5-Wednesday, June 11, 2025: Sunflower Bean | Brand New | Fruition | CIVIC | Trombone Shorty | Margo Cilker | Sun Kil Moon | James McMurtry | Pip Lewis Residency |

Sunday is World Oceans Day. This is Allua at Seaworld. (Taken 11.19.24)

I have been loving the weather this week. And while I haven't caught a concert in a minute, I did get to catch the opening night of The Mountaintop at New Village Arts. It is a really beautiful and moving show, with just a two person cast for a "poetic reimagining of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s final night." I was especially excited to see that the female lead, Taylor Renee Henderson, was in this performance, because she was amazing in The Color Purple, which was part of the last season at New Village Arts. If you enjoy theatre (but feel priced out of the arts), their forthcoming season is on sale now and will include Rent and Hairspray among others. In the meantime, The Mountaintop runs through June 22 and feels especially relevant today. 

As for shows this week, Sunflower Bean is always great, and Sun Kil Moon is at House of Blues Voodoo Room on Sunday, which is certainly an incredible small room for that show. CIVIC is at Soda Bar on Saturday, and if you know Soda Bar bartender Dave, you should get there early as his band The Sines is one of the openers on the shows. I'll be there unless I can snag a campsite this weekend, because I've definitely felt the itch. 

Other things: the San Diego County Fair starts next week. I missed a couple of the media events, but I'm hoping to make it at least a couple times this summer, especially with their partnership this year with San Diego Humane Society. Lots of fun events featuring domestic pets (but no, you can't bring your own.) Also, I asked if anyone knew what was going on with Navajo, but I finally just clicked through their site and realized it has changed ownership and is now an Irish Steampunk-inspired Speakeasy? or something like that. It's called  McGuffie's Live and I know I was slow on the uptake there, but at least I figured it out.  

Anyway, I hope everyone has a really great week. I'm so happy to be done with these listings. Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.