Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, July 9-Wednesday, July 15, 2026: Kurt Vile | 5SOS | Fresh Veggies Micro Brass | Chris Stapleton | Jim Rao Fan Club | The Farmers & Friends | Wynonna Judd & Melissa Etheridge | Dylan Leblanc | Afroman | Jack Botts | The Spits | Babe Rainbow |

6 year old Ama always loves to mug for the camera (7.6.26)

I was thinking this would be a chill week...I did most of my listings overnight on Monday thinking it would give me the free time to get more zoo time in since I didn't get much in the week leading up to Independence Day. But no. Not a chance. On Tuesday I had a whole situation where I found a dog in the alley and it became a whole episode, and then Wednesday I was up early for plumbers who have now found a gas leak and ended up working three hours longer than I expected. So. Here are listings. I probably missed a couple things, but I am jonesing for some zoo time and might actually still have time to see my gorilla boys. Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, July 2-Wednesday, July 8, 2026: Squid Pisser | The McCharmleys | Gothic Summer Dance Party | Band Argument | Dance Dance To The Radio | Independence Day!! |

The Belugas were so happy to show off their new barrel toy (Taken 6.29.26)

I had gotten pretty good about starting my listings on Monday nights, so then I wouldn't have it bearing on my mind all week, but with it being Independence Day and also the beginning of a new month, I'm pretty checked out for the week. Like, I know I still have to work, but running ads this week is just a waste of money and effort because everyone else seems pretty checked out, too, and honestly, it's just too nice in San Diego right now to sit on a laptop for hours on end. Plus, it's just such a weird time in general right now...like 250 years is kind of amazing, and then it's black-clouded by the POS in office. I can't even buy a renewal for my Parks Pass without his ugly bloated face on it. So gross. So yeah. Enjoy World Cup wins, laugh at Country Fair fails, and enjoy your 4th of July, however you choose to spend it. And ffs, lock your pets in your house because losing them is a heartbreak that never really goes away. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. RIP, KD. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Baby Fever - New Dolphin At SeaWorld/New Baboon At San Diego Zoo | Children's Reinstates Gender Care | Get A Free CA Parks Pass | TFG Continues US Destruction |

  

Mother Baboon Anakin and her 1 1/2 Day Old Baby (Taken 6.27.26)

Things are super busy. If it's not work stuff, it's trying to plan or organize something with the fam, running around trying to maximize my summer outings, cleaning up around the house when we get an invasion of ants or just trying to manage space as the kid has moved back home for summer, or trying to manage digital space, as my phone fills up with videos and photos that get moved to my laptop, which in turn, is also running out of space. Some of the busy is fun. Some of it is super tedious. But the world keeps spinning and time ticks on. Never enough of it, that is for sure. 

So while I intended to get this post up last week, it was nice to work through my email and make sure I got all the links in that I wanted from the past couple weeks, but wanted to publish by Monday morning because SeaWorld is offering $25 tickets if you wear Padres gear to the ticket counter, but it's only good on Monday and Tuesday. Sorry I missed the weekend, but it was so crowded, I assure you it would've been unfun for a one-time visit anyway. I've been spending a lot of time at SeaWorld, because on Thursday night I got to talk to a trainer who answered all my questions about the new baby dolphin born last Sunday. She is super cute, but dolphins don't stop swimming once they're born...it's a learned behavior which takes several days to perfect, so they suspended the Dolphin Adventures show and had a baby presentation. So that's how I spent my Friday morning...you can see a full video here. And while it was super special to see a 4 day old dolphin, San Diego Zoo said, "hold my $17 beer!" and on Thursday night, a baby baboon was born. So that's how I spent my Saturday morning...trying to take photos of this little nugget. Failed horribly and someday I'll stop being so cheap and just buy a better lens, but this will have to do for now. 

So yeah, that's life now. I try to pack in my days full of activity so that when I actually put my head on my pillow, no matter what time that actually happens, I maybe actually get sleep. Which I shall do now. Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, June 25-Wednesday, July 1, 2026: Tim Kasher | Dawes | Tulengua | Maren Morris | OB Street Fair | Three Bad Jacks | Missing Persons | Kid Cudi | Anna Ballew |

Karen & Kaja Sharing A Bounty of French's Mustard (Taken 6.24.26)

I just haven't been feeling right this week. I guess this is life when you're born the year of our country's bicentennial, but ICK. Do not like. 0/10, do not recommend. So I I missed an Open Alpaca Ranch day over the weekend and haven't had a whole lot of Zoo and SeaWorld time this week, and , but the little time I've had still manages to fill my soul with the good good. I also had a couple merch gigs this week, with Skillibeng on Sunday and Aaron Hibell on Wednesday. I didn't get my act together this year, so I missed out on a few opportunities to hit the San Diego County Fair, but it's still going until the 6th if you're trying to make a day of it. The Casbah had a few announces this week and the Brian Fallon (from Gaslight Anthem) show nearly sold out in just a few days, so keep eyes out for an announcement on that front. The 4th of July holiday coming up usually messes everyone up and things get out of rhythm, and with it being on a Saturday this year, I don't expect any less, but maybe I'll sneak off to the mountains or something to get away from the noise. 

Also wanted to mention if you haven't heard, Tara and Dean Reis bought the bar on El Cajon Blvd formerly known as Cricket Pub. They've been cleaning it up and making it nice, but I just read that they're doing a Bar Pink takeover because Lorenxo & Barb will be in town. So if you wanna come hang out at the super fun new bar, literally across the street from my house, check it out on Monday. Like Bar Pink, it's cash only, so come prepared and then leave a 5 star review on the platforms. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, June 18-Wednesday, June 24, 2026: Neil Hamburger | Metric | Emo Nite | Deceits + Past Self | The Lemon Twigs | Bob Dylan | Heavenly |

Amahle & Guadalupe Pool Party Playing (Taken 6.18.26)

Darren was sick all weekend, so I took the opportunity while I was already going to Murietta to see the twinsie babies in their new home, that I would make it a whole thing. I was gonna camp, but didn't really like the camp facilities, and at that very time, my friends messaged that they were going to LA Zoo on Monday. I reached out to my cousin who gave me her house to crash and so it was. Only thing is I have felt behind all week because of it. So I'm happy to say it's only 2am and I'm done with listings, which means staying up til 6am yesterday was worth it and I don't have to do it again.
I'm hearing from many people that San Diego Zoo will be phasing out Nighttime Zoo, and in 2027 and beyond will only stay open until 7pm (instead of 8pm as it is this year, or 9pm as it had been in the past). Let me tell you that this will be a super bummer because the animals really come alive in that 4-8pm window. Similarly, I heard there was some sort of Grand Jury audit of LA Zoo and they want to shift from being the last City-run zoo in the country to a "public-private partnership". FUCK. I HATE "public-private partnerships". Somehow the Private entity always ends up being the winner and the Public part gets fucked. 

Anyhow, that's neither here nor there for now. What is up is that Friday is Juneteenth, and while I completely expect TFG to do something completely stupid, complain about too many Federal holidays, or some other racist nonsense, I intend to enjoy the shit out of a three day weekend. There's even a Juneteenth Birders walk that seems quite appealing. Whatever the case, there's a shit ton to do this week in San Diego. I saw some Friday event on IG but forgot to save it, so if anyone knows what I'm talking about, feel free to send it over. 

Stay safe out there (the respiratory illnesses are knocking people out right now, and summer World Cup travel is only going to exacerbate the problems.) Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: City of San Diego Passes Budget | Persistent Public Parking Problems | FIDO Battles Bayfair And Wins | Judge To DOJ: Leave The Kids Alone |

Bat-Eared Fox Kits at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Taken 5.19.26)

The funniest thing happened when I was selling merch for Rostam. This man came to the merch table and couldn't decide if he wanted to buy a sweatshirt...he has two from past tours that he said he wears all the time. While he kept talking, I couldn't help but ask if I knew him...his voice was so familiar...maybe he was a friend of my friend Kristian (who seems to know everyone), I asked? No, he said, but I insisted he was so familiar. He said he used to work for County Health. YOU GUYS! Remember how I literally watched every single City and County update during C-19??? It was Dr. McDonald from all those many, many daily briefings.
Anyhow, that was May 15. We're now a month later and I finally got around to finishing up a link-heavy diary post. Leading up to the election, my inbox was just out of control, and I felt like I was just trying to keep my head above water day by day...I have a few tour agents really on my tail at the moment...but hopefully spending a Saturday night getting things under control was a smart move, even though it probably means I won't be making 8:30am yoga at Seaworld. I've mentioned how Toby was moving back home after finishing his freshman year at UCSD and living on campus, and I'm so grateful that Darren handled it, even though he's super sick right now. I'm kinda worried though he's negative for the C-19, because he did that whole deep cleaning of our studio last week and I was temporarily convinced he had the hanta-v. He says he's fine and will be okay, but we'll keep an eye on him. At this point, this post is more to document the shit that has been happening in the City and State. The national craziness is just so beyond that I'll leave it to greater minds to document; mandatory reading: Letters from an American, Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance, and Popular Information. 
Stay safe (and healthy) out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, June 11-Wednesday, June 17, 2026: Monolord | Fruit Bats | Alain Whyte | Ásgeir | Switchfoot Bro-Am | Surf Trash | Searows | Taylor Hunnicutt | Fai Laci | The Dimes |

Half Brothers Tsundzu & Nipho Enjoying A Warm Spring Night (6.10.26)

I'm keeping it short this week. There is a ton going on right now...World Cup is kicking off with lots of spots broadcasting games for the entire run. I'd say avoid the masses and commit to Blind Lady Ale House...which normally doesn't do sports, but futbol is the exception and they have the games listed out on their calendar. It's also Fair season, so I included the big shows but obviously they've got lots of stuff happening all day, every day. We had a whole situation in my studio that had long been ignored, so Darren took the lead and handled it, but yuck...unoccupied spaces are a magnet for unwanted visitors...especially when used primarily for food storage. I've been pretty happy spending late hours at the San Diego Zoo and the animals have been...shall we say, "feisty" doing "it like they do on the Discovery Channel," if you catch my drift. This weekend Seaworld launches into their extended hours for summer and are debuting nighttime dolphin and orca presentations. So yeah, I'm keeping occupied surrounding myself with all the animals I love. I hope we've all recovered from the election and thank goodness that it appears LA dodged that Pratt bullet. What a fuckface piece of shit. 

Anyway, stay safe out there, especially as summer travel picks up and places get us more packed with people and all their summer snot. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, June 4-Wednesday, June 10, 2026: Quintron & Miss Pussycat | Racing Mount Pleasant | The Lagoons | Otis Kane | North Park Music Fest | Daniel Ezra Band | Messthetics | Paul Simon | David J | Monolord | Sir Woman |

Little Bear (Taken 4.18.26)

I've been so proud that for the past several weeks I was able to get my listings done by Monday night so that the rest of the week I can focus on actual work and getting out and about. That didn't happen this week and everything has just felt a little off all week, though it's hard to know if that's because I didn't do the work or I couldn't do the work because this week was gonna be a pit of suck. Besides the shitty election (voted for Becerra, but NOT looking forward to the next 5 months of campaigns and ads), we have an appraiser coming to our apartment on Thursday which is NEVER a good sign and has given me pure anxiety all week. Darren is a calming presence and talked me down, but I guess we'll deal with whatever that may bring when it comes. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to this weekend...I've been invited to shearing day at Hazpaca and I am hoping I can make it. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, May 28-Wednesday, June 3, 2026: Old Mervs | Kinky | Caskitt | Ringo Starr | Fiesta Del Sol | Egg Records Fest | Los Lobos | Foxtide | RnR Marathon | The Last Dinner Party | Mikaela Davis | The Human League | Allah-Las |

Rostam at Music Box, 5.27.26

There is such a strange feeling when you become acutely aware of time. Darren is in his final week of his work project in the mountains, and you would think that being home alone for four weeks, at least Monday-Friday, that I'd have this big swath of free time, but it didn't work out that way at all. Instead, I feel so rushed. I sleep in increments, 3 or 4 hours, then wake to work, then try to get back to sleep. Toby will be coming home from school soon and then my unusual schedule is just gonna really mess with everyone. Is Lestat's still 24 hours? because maybe I'll have to weave that into my life. 

At any rate, I'm just trying to keep up with all of it, and the Casbah is going bananas right now with fall and winter booking as well as filling out the rest of spring and summer calendars, so it's busy. And maybe election season's looming deadlines makes me feel a bit of anxiety, too. Can you imagine if either of the republican fuckers end up in the run-off? Gross. Anyway, I hope you find a good show or two this week, because there are some good ones, plus lots of free stuff if the budget is a problem. Don't forget to plan around Rock N Roll Marathon this weekend, as everyone seems to forget about parking restrictions and blocked off streets. Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, May 21-Wednesday, May 27, 2026: Bike Anywhere Day | Nathan Raney | Dry Cleaning | Supersuckers | Swingin' Utters | Afghan Whigs | Mac DeMarco | World Goth Day | Broncho | The Paper Kites |

I was hoping to get up to Palomar to camp this week, but since it didn't work out, I'm just enjoying that I busted out listings early this week. I also understand Memorial Day is a day to be solemn and honor the men and women who've lost their lives while serving in the Armed Forces, but Memorial Day has long been the unofficial kick-off to summer and I'm pretty much checked out and ready for a three-day weekend. There are a lot of great shows this week but I'm already overextended so I am not committing to anything. Also, don't forget to look to the sky if you're in the area, as SeaWorld kicks off their drone shows to replace their fireworks shows. Whatever you do and however you choose to spend your time, may you find some joy however that may come. 
Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.