Things To Do In San Diego: July 24, 2009

Friday, July 24, 2009 (Comic-Con) :

• Shark Attack @ X1FM Open Door Sessions (Free, All Ages, 7pm, BYOB)
• 3 o'clock Fridays Presents G. Love & Special Sauce @ Del Mar Race Track (after final race)
• Castiotone for the Painfully Alone, Concern, The Dabbers, Trashcan Fires @ Casbah
• Amanda Palmer (of the Dresden Dolls), Vermillion Lies @ San Diego Women's Club (2557 3rd Avenue, Hillcrest 7pm All Ages - A Fundraiser for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund)
• True Blood Happy Hours @ Rock Bottom/Prohibition (7-9p)
• Shoreline Rootz (Bob Marley Tribute) w/ High Tide (Sublime Trib), Two Spot Gobi and DJ Man Cat presented by BFD Productions @ Belly Up
• Syndicate, The Beautiful View @ Ken Club
• Kissing Tigers, None Other, Holiq & Mannyfesto (of SPAM), Sahtyre (of Swim Team), DJ Knowledge @ Beauty Bar
• The Modlins, Sister Cities, Anthony Maniscalco @ Tin Can Ale House
• TNA/Midway Arts Presents Daughtry @ Hard Rock Hotel
• Gregory Page @ Swedenborg Hall (1531 Tyler, 92103)
• Dr. Sketchy, Comic Strip Burlesque @ Ruby Room
• Spirit Photography, BRAAIINS!!, XYX (mexico), Blue Jungle @ Soda Bar
• Feel The Noise feat DJs Gabe Vega & Saul Q @ U-31
• William Fitzsimmons, Jenny Owens Young @ Lestat's (2 shows: 6pm & 9pm)
• Pistolera @ The Loft, UCSD
• Joel McHale (Talk Soup) @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
• Adult Swim Presents Tim and Eric Show Awesome Show Great Job Tour @ 4th & B (7pm)
• The Mighty Boosh Bash @ 4th & B (11pm)
• iHeartcomix Paper Heart Party feat. Glass Candy, Franki Chan, Acid Girls @ Voyeur
• Miss Erika Davies, Pant Hoots, DJ Mikey Face@ Whistle Stop
• Atomic Groove @ Belly Up (Happy Hour, 5:30pm)
• Heroes All Access VIP Event @ House of Blues (3-5p)
• Brian Posehn & Doug Benson (live comedy) @ Balboa Theater
• Beer Pong Happy Hour @ Henry's Irish Pub (4-7p)
• The Infusion Project feat Fortune + Encore's "Shades of Summer", with DJs Neva and Theron @ Stingaree
• XX1090 Listener Party feat. JAC @ Del Mar Race Track
• Normandie (LA)@ Bar Pink
• The Chop Tops, The Strikers, Knock em Stiff, The Watchmen @ Radio Room (Sailor Jerry Promo)
• Horror Film Showcase and Comic-Con After-Party feat DJs Mark E Quark, Schugar, Ian Dunn. Live art by Sean Dietrich, Kai Martin, Brian Hebets, Raggatron @ El Dorado
• Lisa Sanders, Doug Pettibone @ Java Joe's at Cafe Libertalia
• Illfonix @ Kadan
• Astra Kelly, Echo Revolution, The Napolean Complex, Bobby Pena & The Stowaways @ O'Connell's
• Sci Fi & UCP present Bear McCreary: The music of Battlestar Galactica @ House of Blues
• Organika Reggae presents Englishman, Cualli, Ranking Forrest, Chunkey Roots, Selecta Fari @ Winston's
• Split Finger, Slower, Stained Glass Saints @ 710 Beach Club
• Latin Funk Festival - Agua Dulce, Locos Por Juana, Bayonics, Elijah Emanuel @ Canes
• Devil Driver, Emmure, Stick To Your Guns, Despised Icon, MyChildren MyBride, Veil Of Maya, For The Fallen Dreams, Oceano, Periphery, Thy Will Be Done @ Soma
• Auto Electric, The Spill, Out Together, For Venice, Birds of Paradise @ Epicentre
• Drainage X, Dive Bomber, Aepnia, Endoxi @ Dreamstreet
• Detroit Underground @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• The Mighty Regis @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
• Tizer feat. Lao Tizer, Chieli Minucci, Karen Briggs @ Anthology (Early Show 7:30pm)
• Late Night Live feat Trapt, Divide The Day, Since October @ Anthology (Late Show 10pm)
• The Color Of Glass, Endoxi, Silent Lune, Faintly Macabre, Propaganda @ Channel Twelve 25
• Café Moliendo @ Portugalia
• Project Out Of Bounds @ Surf n Saddle
• The Finaly Blitz feat Dr Indulgent, Alex Villalobos @ Kava Lounge
• Second Sun @ Spin
• Underground w/DJ Professor CC & DJ Brother Darkness @ Stout
• Up, Up and Away! - Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. @ Summer Pops, Embarcadero

Comic-Con: Herds Of Nerds

I shot some video as I was leaving Comic-Con last night and thought I'd share. If you're averse to crowds and people, this is definitely not the event for you.

Unable to Attend Comic-Con: Watch the action on G4!

(A modified press release)

G4 is broadcasting live from Comic-Con, bringing all the news headlines, exclusive premieres, crazy costumes, panel discussions, celebrity appearances and outrageous fans LIVE from the Comic-Con show floor to TV audiences. G4’s coverage begins Saturday, July 25 at 2PM ET/PT with a two-hour presentation of the Star Wars™ Comic-Con Spectacular!, the first-ever televised Comic-Con panel. Following, G4 presents three-hours of LIVE comprehensive coverage from 4-7PM ET/PT.

Things To Do In San Diego: July 23, 2009

Thursday July 23, 2009 (Comic-Con Opening):

• True Blood Happy Hours @ Rock Bottom/Prohibition (7-9p)
• X, Dead Rock West @ Belly Up
• The Old In Out, Branden Daniel & Everybody Gets Laid @ Bar Pink
• Starlight Mints, JP Inc (formerly Pleaseeasaur), Get Back Loretta @ Casbah
• Gurtrudestein, Extinct Animals, The Very @ Tin Can Ale House
• Nerd Prom 2009 feat. Franki Chan @ The Bitter End
• Brutal Legend Metal Meltdown feat Gwar, Three Inches of Blood @ 4th & B (Free. RSVP required: rsvp@viceland.com/brutallegend)
• Sci Fi & UCP present Bear McCreary: The music of Battlestar Galactica @ House Of Blues
• Comic Book Legal Defense Fund Welcome Party @ Westgate Hotel
• MarkedMen.net - Official San Diego Comic Con Party @ San Diego Maritime Museum
• Expressway To Yr Skull @ Soda Bar
• Mayer Hawthorne @ El Dorado
• More Super Thursday feat. Erica, Itai, and Neal @ Ruby Room
• Tribute To Michael Jackson (Music/Videos On A Big Screen) @ The Pearl Hotel
• Modern Day Moonshine @ House of Blues, Voodoo Stage
• Off With Their Heads, Dear Landlord @ The Ken Club
• Synesthetic, Inberst, DJ Morgan Young @ Beauty Bar
• John Katchur, Jeff Berkley @ Java Joes at Cafe Libertalia
• Comic-Con After Party Live Art by Sean Dietrich, Eric Evenson, Raggatron. DJs Schugar, Ian Dunn, Avera @ Side Bar
• iFanboy Meetup @ Tivoli
• Fudge House Trunk Baby, Magdelene, This Is Manic @ Radio Room
• The Bad Plus @ Anthology
• Rockin Johnny White Band Presents - Iron Works, Mad Martigan, Fuzz Huzzi, Medicine for Madison @ Canes
• Aimee Bobruck, Derren Raser, Natalie Warner @ Lestat's
• 80’s and 90’s Hip Hop with DJ Artistic & Cros 1 @ U-31
• The Flock of 80's @ Henry's Pub
• San Diego Comic-Con "Drink and Draw"@ Hennessey’s (Downtown)
• Never Say Die presents: Quincey, Bending Planets. Ottly Mercer, with others TBA @ Brick By Brick
• Jars of Clay, The Beautiful Republic @ Horizon Christian Fellowship
• Skelpin @ Hensley's Flying Elephant Pub & Grill
• Jesse Davis @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• Psychobilly @ Club Kadan
• Bill Magee Blues @ Patrick's II
• Fat Man’s Misery @ Second Wind Navajo
• Greg Peake Music @ The Alley (Carlsbad)
• The Mentors,Willie PSYCHO,The Flithy Fuks, Born of Fire, Neverland Ranch @ Second Wind Santee
• Audios, Grieves & Budo, Brendan B & The Brakes, Destructo Bunny @ Winston's
• Drum & Bass @ Dream Street Live
• Jesse Nova @ The Bitter End Backstage
• Jefferson Jay Band, Compass, Patricia Mueller @ Portugalia
• Rock Out Karaoke, Dueling Pianos @ 710 Beach Club
• Michael Tiernan @ Indulge La Jolla
• Stratos @ Calypso Cafe
• SO3, The Dread Crew of Oddwood @ Tiki House
• Off Track, Down on Morale, Unknown Motive @ Boar Cross'n (Carlsbad)
• Geoffrey Keezer @ Athenaeum La Jolla
• Eamon Carroll @ The Field
• Glitch Mob, Nosaj Thing, Daddy Kev @ Spin
• Frankie Dee @ The Kraken
• Rifat Ziadeh @ Voyeur
• Street Heart@ Valley View Casino
• Karaoke @ O'Connell's
• Scott Carter Duo @ Dick's Last Resort
• Cash'd Out @ Santee Summer Concert Series
• August Burns Red, Bless The Fall, Enter Shikari, Iwrestledabearonce @ Soma
• Talk Jonny, Suburban Boredom, Midnight Rising, The Vagabond Soul @ Channel Twelve25
• Fed To The Wolves, Lewd Acts, Take Offense, Stopping Power @ Music Trader (Sports Arena)
• Haile Selassie I Celebration feat. The Mighty Diamonds, Rootz Underground, Itawe, King David, Yellow Wall Dub Squad @ Worldbeat Center
• Bozzani Brothers @ Coyote Bar & Grill
• Nosaj Thing, Glitch Mob, Daddy Kev @ Spin
• The Megas @ Bondi
• Geoffrey Keezer/Peter Sprague Quartet@ Athenaeum, 7:30 PM
• Lee Coulter @ Capri Blu
• Drug Wars, D Numbers, Darc Meriso @ The Power House
• Rat Star @ La Puerta
• Video Games Live @ Summer Pops, Embarcadero

Comic-Con Preview Night

Yesterday I braved the madness that is Comic-Con. This year's passes sold out months ago and even so knowing, you never really realize what kind of crowd to expect. I had planned on going downtown early, but I was actually pleased in arriving at 4 with plenty of time before the preview doors opened. The line for pre-registered professionals and media was long but the bonus about geek culture is that they're REALLY efficient and in about 15 minutes I had my badge. Then I wondered, what do I do now??

Naturally I found a spot on the floor and opened up my laptop to take advantage of the Google sponsored free wi-fi. That was fine until the Elite security started clearing the floor area, so I moved upstairs to wait in line with Jim. He told me there were three main lines and we were at the front of one of them. I still don't understand the lines to be honest, but I guess there are certain booths with exclusive collectibles and giveaways.




People were in such a frenzy, it was hard not to get caught up in it. I'd see a line or a mass of people and 3 minutes later I'm the owner of a District 9 t-shirt or a Twilight bottle opener. Or a ginormous Harry Potter bag. I even stopped at a booth and got my picture taken to look like I was caught on fire. I imagine the reusable grocery sized bag from TheBloodFactory.com is gonna get some looks next time I'm at Trader Joes.



But then what? I'm not in the market for Star Wars figurines, I haven't played a video game since Super Mario Bros., there aren't really any shows that I'm obsessed with that would make me fight people to grab some memorabilia, and I've probably watched 5 movies this entire year and none of those is of the action/summer blockbuster/must-see variety. Something compelling still makes me excited to be there.

Maybe the Ugly Dolls?


Or American mockery?


I dunno, but whatever it is, I'm heading back for more.

Incidentally, I only lasted 2 hours before heading to the tweet-up at Voyeur which was fun but probably only about 20% of the 500+ who signed up to attend actually showed up. It was good chatting with a few friends before Jake and I took off to catch Ryan Bingham at Casbah. I'll be posting some Youtube from that later; hopefully tonight.

Things To Do In San Diego: July 22, 2009

Wednesday July 22, 2009 (Del Mar Race Track Opening Day; Comic-Con International Preview Night):

• Comic-Con Tweetup @ Voyeur (7-10p)
• Ryan Bingham, Doug Moreland @ Casbah
• Nite Vision feat. The Villains, DJs Gabe Vega, Adam Salter, Erick Diaz, Lord Nelson, GroundFloor, plus @ Voyeur (10p-close)
• Zodiac Death Valley, Doves and Desperados @ Soda Bar
• The Squirrel Nut Zippers, The Smart Brothers @ Belly Up
• The Burning of Rome, Fearless in Fairweather @ Winston's
• 91X "Next Big Thing" feat Chester French @ 710 Beach Club (91 cents)
• TikiBarTV presents "Evil Empire Job Fair" hosted by Johnny Johnny & Suicide Girls @ Airport Lounge
• Nerve Meter, Elba (WA), Listen On Mute, DJ Heather Hardcore @ Radio Room
• Comic-Con Preview Night Party feat live art by Raggatron, Michael Briones, Sean Dietrich and Brent Tilton@ El Dorado
• Laura Jane's One Woman Show, Art by Jimmy Russell & Sperm, Jewelery by Sacred Otter @ 10th Avenue Theatre
• 944 Opening Day After Party Hosted by Audrina Patridge @ L'Auberge Del Mar
• Hapa, Ledward Kaapana, John Cruz @ Humphreys Concerts By The Bay
• Afghan Raiders, DJs Saul Q, Andrew Decade @ Beauty Bar
• Fourth Wednesdays feat. Linnzi Zaorsk @ Bar Pink
• Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine, Linnzi Zaorski @ House of Blues
• Musicpalooza Singer Winners Showcase: Geanie Jenkins, Allegra Barley, Tiffany Jane @ Anthology
• Cultura!, Solrak from B-Side Players @ Stage Saloon
• Live Wednesday's Presents: "SOUL NIGHT" w/ Tori Roze, Brodeeva, Nick Z & Elaine Faye @ U-31
• The Perry Edwards, Dead Feather Moon, Dakotafish @ Ruby Room
• Wednesday Night Shakedown @ Henry's Pub
• Skinnie Magazine & Never Say Die presents: BOTB, Chasing Claymores, Pushin Rope @ Brick By Brick
• 3RD Identity@ O'Connell's
• Wailing Souls, Cualli, Hi Roots, DJs Irie Eyes, Selecta Fari, Chunky Roots @ Canes
• Metro @ Humphrey's Backsatge Live
• Paul Cannon, Moontucky Risin @ The Bitter End
• Joey Ryan, Amber Rubarth, Dawn Mitschele @ Lestat's
• Drum and Bass @ Club Kadan
• Jeff Moore & The Witch Doctors @ Kraken
• 145th St Deluxe Blues Band @ Patrick's II
• Fuzz Huzzi@ Second Wind Navajo
• Tres Sapos @ Calypso Cafe
• Youth Envy, Damcyan & Special Guests @ Dream Street Live
• Delilah Jones, Hemp String Orchestra @ Gallagher's Pub
• White Buffalo @ Tiki House
• Poolside Happy Hour w/ Christoper Dale and Friends @ Handlery Hotel
• Private Domain @ Dick's Last Resort
• Pick Up Girl, Rachel Grant, IZA Moon Dance Collective @ Portugalia
• Master, Pathology, Dreaming Dead @ The Jumping Turtle
• Burnett's Bliss, MR.JB @ Cafe LaMaze
• Volume 10, Archie Dean, Sweat Lounge, Way Out Entertainment, C-Tip, Tenece @ Kava Lounge
• Faded Chroniclez @ Cabo Grill & Cantina

More Tips For Comic-Con

Yesterday I posted my link with tips for Comic-Con that I posted last year, but I keep discovering really great sites with much more Con-specific information.

Check out Speedforce.org for some really great advice, whether you're from San Diego or coming from somewhere else. My only disagreement is on the restaurants because I think you can find some better/cheaper spots but you can check Yelp for that sort of thing.

Is it bad that I'm totally geeking out now?

This Week In San Diego: Thoroughbreds vs. Superheroes

This week is huge for San Diego. There are maybe a handful of annual events that really focus the attention of the rest of the country, let alone the international community, on San Diego. As thousands of people decend upon San Diego, our city will be splattered all over the news as national and international media come to capture Comic-Con International in all of it's glory, naturally highlighting the geek, gaming, movie, and comic culture that make up this exhausting week. In all of that, does Opening Day at Del Mar get lost in the mix, or do the celebs and media in town help?

Honestly, I don't know, but while I would assume that there isn't much overlap between Opening Day revelers and Comic-Con badgeholders, the two events have a lot in common if you think about it: (1)people wait all year for this day/week (2)they like to dress up (hats at DMTC, costumes at Con) (3)both are full of big spenders with huge money to throw down (4)both will likely yield celebrity sightings (however B-List they may be. Audrina, I'm looking at you.) Personally, I'm a racing fan, but not so much Opening Day, so maybe I'll hit a 3 o'clock Friday or the beer festival during racing season, but this week, The Con wins.

As far as The Con, I am still a n00b, having attended The Con for just the past couple years (check out my guide to surviving The Con) and this is my first year going with a Media badge, so as I plan my week, I'm a little bit more nervous and overwhelmed by this year's schedule. Fortunately, there are tons of resources to get me through.

So here are some of the places I've been getting my Con information and where I'll likely be looking for information as the week goes on:

Comic-Con Main Website

SD Examiner

Sign-On San Diego

iheartcomix

And, of course, I rely heavily on Twitter. I follow @SyFy, @XSanguin, @EWPopWatch, @sdcomiccon, @SD_Comic_Con, @machinafatalis and a host of others.

I also use search for info on last minute parties, like #SDCC, Comic-Con Party, and just plain old Comic-con.

And, of course, for tourists in town wondering where to go and what to do in San Diego, I hope you'll come back to http://sddialedin.com and follow me on Twitter @sddialedin as I try and navigate through the week.