Final Comic-Con Photos: Sunday

While Sunday might've been the day of the already blown Comic-con wad, it was also a really fun day for me because I got to hang with my Seattle friends that I met last year at the True Blood happy hour. If Kathy Griffin can have her Gays, then I get to have My Nerds. And I wouldn't say so were it not with total affection (and confusion at their topical geek fights which they would alert me to...'um, here we go again...x vs. y in the neverending fight over who would win z battle').

Before I met up with them, I roamed the Comic-Con floor and visited Randall at his Bear vs Fox table. I discovered he was just across the aisle from the creator of Wow Wow Wubbzy (*love*) and bought a children's book for $5. I also happened across Geoff Peterson, the robot from Craig Ferguson (The Late Late Show?), and I asked an awkwardly stupid question of the robot just to get the signed glossy of him and Craig. Fortunately being last in that line put me first in the line to grab a free copy of Shit My Dad Says which I've already finished reading and is entirely worth the hype. As the Con wrapped up, I met My Nerds at the Marriott, and when they asked for a place to chill and eat, I suggested Analog, which has a killer happy hour, even on Sundays, and we ate and drank to our hearts content. When all of that was done, there was a free show at the House of Blues with The Spinto Band and Miniature Tigers that was awesome, so I got that much more time with my Seattle friends. I really hope that I get to see the boys again before next Con, and I have a good feeling that they have some magic brewing with their start-up. To be continued on that aspect, but as a finale, I have to say I was really sad when the Con came to an end, and admittedly spent some time physically recovering, but also had to spend some time recover mentally from the buzz and the high that I experienced all week. Till next year, I'll go back to my regular programming here, but not without hope that I am fortunate enough to participate again next year. More pics if you 'keep on reading'.

sd:dialed in: Comic-con Coverage 2010

My site is having some coding problem and I can't quite figure it all out right now, so here are some of my Comic-con related posts is if you missed them:

Weekend Show/Party Listings

Friday Photos

Thursday Photos

The Hoff Hits The Streets of San Diego

Saturday: Hollywood Stever presents Yacht Rock 12

Comic-con 2010: Meet Bob $tencil

Comic-con Preview Night: Just Dance 2

I Wanna Do Bad Things With You

Comic-con Additional Events

Geek-out: Comic-con Is Almost Here

Surviving Comic-con

Things To Do In San Diego: July 24-25, 2010

Here's the final list update for all weekend shows and parties. Going offline for the day. Have fun, kiddos! (Sunday listings are after the jump)

Saturday, July 24, 2010 (Comic-con 2010):

• Tim & Eric's Awesomecon feat. DJ Doggpound, costume contest, Tim and Eric karaoke, trivia and more @ Embarcadero Marina Park North (Free, no tix required, 12-3pm)
• Yacht Rock Screening with Hollywood Steve, Ascot, DJ Claire, nautical costume contest @ Whistle Stop (5-9 pm)
• Vans presents JJ/Johnny Rad Fest feat. Stallions of Sound, Chango Rey, Dreamboats, Launch Ramp Skate Contest @ Tower Bar (Day Show)
• Vans presents JJ/Johnny Rad Fest feat. The Spits, Tokyo Electron, Half Rats, Jungle Fever @ Ken Club
• ICONS: A Pop Culture Music/Art/Fashion Explosion Part I includes pop culture vendors, themed performances, fashion show, film and web-series screenings with panels and cast Q&A @ Horton Grand Event Center (11a-5p, $5, All ages)
• ICONS: A Pop Culture Music/Art/Fashion Explosion Part II costume dance party, performances by Bobby Fantasy, Fing, Canton Mudders, Marian Call, Higher Minds, Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra, Inspired Flight, DJs, themed performances, Popular Naughty fashion tease, lounge, videos, and surprise guests @ Horton Grand Event Center (9 pm, $15, 21+)
• Elton John @ Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
• Red Bull King of the Rock 1-on-1 basketball battle hosted by Dale Seibert @ Embarcadero Marina Park South (9 am registration, competition at 10 am)
• Comedy Central Live feat. Pete Holmes, Chris Gethard and Horatio Sanz, Nick Swardson, Adam Devine @ House of Blues (Free. Doors at 6 pm, show 7-9 pm)
• Nerd City/Image Comics/Things From Another World Comic-con Afterpaty feat. The Burning of Rome, DJ sets by Red Sonya & Major Taylor, Live art by Jim Mahfood and friends @ Soda Bar (tickets $12 adv/$15 day of)
• A Scribe Amidst The Lions, Gun Runner, Ryan Blue, Archery For The Blind, DJ Gonzo @ Ruby Room
• Longsleeves, Bobby Pena & The Stowaways, Matt Haeck, David Ramirez @ Tin Can
• Snoop Doog & Ice Cube: How The West Was One, Nipsey Hussle, Shulaced All Stars, Young Reef @ 4th & B
• Video Games Live: Bonus Round @ San Diego Civic Theatre
• Boris, Saade, Brainticket DJs @ Casbah
• The Displaced @ The Riviera
• Pine Mountain Logs, Los Chicharrones Guapos @ Belly Up
• Red Hot and Cool Dance Party@ Bar Pink
• Chrononaut/Steampunk Party/The League of Extraordinary Adventurers presents Voltaire @ Queen Bee's (7pm)
• Boom Snap, Come on Go with Us, 5 to Midnight, Colour Vision DJs @ Beauty Bar
• Booty Bassment @ Whistle Stop
• Club Sabbat feat. Robin Roth, Adamnation, Tom King, Comic-con & Zombiewalk Costume Contest @ The Flame
• Dance Party with Saul Q and Kid Wonder @ U-31
• The Amalgamated, The Remedies, DJ Sugar Brown @ O'Connell's
• The Adam Carolla Show @ House of Blues (9pm)
• Tao Seeger @ Lestat's
• The Villains, Groundfloor @ El Dorado
• Secret 7 (CD Release), Unset (acoustic set), Governor Drive, The Secret Wizard Project @ Brick By Brick
• IHeartComix & Popcult present Holy Ghost! (DJ Set) Mike Relm, Frank Chan @ Voyeur
• SD Dubstep/Paperchase Press/Big Up Magazine present SubTerranean feat. Ill Kid, DJ Vent, Crix Saiz, Austin Speed, Puppy Kicker, Melotronix, Esh One, live performance by Recordable Colors, live art by Griffin One & Vent @ Kava Lounge ($5 with costume, $10 after 10pm)
• Kahi Lofa @ Winston's
• 91x Next Big Thing feat. New Politics @ 710 Beach Club
• Asking Alexandria, Born of Osiris, Kittie, Stick To Your Guns, Impending Doom, Through The Eyes of The Dead, Greeley Estates, Periphery, Motionless in White, Chelsea Grin @ Soma
• Tan Dollar, Weed Diamond, Dash Jacket, The Endless Bummer, Surveyor @ Che Cafe
• The Dangerous Summer, The Morning Of, Places and Numbers, Jesse Barrera, Meseta, Ethnic Breakfast @ Epicentre (doors at 6:30, all ages)
• Uncle Junkie, Baghdad Buddha, Retrolust @ Dreamstreet
• Odyssey with host Snoop Dogg (4th & B concert after party), Melo D @ Fluxx
• DJ Scooter, Chris Cutz, Cybershock, DJ Girth @ TwoOSeven, Hard Rock Hotel
• The Jazz of McCoy Tyner & John Coltrane performed by Mikan Zlatkovich, Brian Levy, Bill Andrews, and Kevin Kanner @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)
• Rockola @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• Barenaked Ladies, Angel Taylor @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
• Ziggy Marley @ Open Sky Theatre, Harrah's Rincon Casino
• Kris Allen @ Anthology (Early Show 7:30pm, Late Show 9:30 pm)
• Border Radio @ San Dieguito United Methodist Church Hall
• John Foltz @ The Marble Room
• Recovery Party feat. DJ Ideal & Big Chris @ Spin
• California Celts, DJ Chelu @ Gallagher's
• Anti Human-trafficking Event feat. Keegan Smith, Bushwalla @ True North (3 pm)
• Adema, In Silence, Bloodline, Drownswerve, Loked, Opium Bride, Interim Divine @ Ramona Mainstage
• Harley Davidson BBQ, music by Willovealot @ San Diego Harley-Davidson (Kearny Mesa)
• Explosion De Corridos 2010 @ San Diego Sports Arena
• DJ Jesse Marco @ Eclipse Pool Experience, Harrah's Rincon Casino
• Summer Pops: Michael Cavanaugh (sings the songs of Elton John) @ Embarcadero Marina Park South
• Zombie Walk @ 4th & Broadway, (6 pm, don't be late)
• Zombie Walk after-party @ Quality Social
• X-Sanguin 9-Fail-Safe Party @ Horton Plaza
• Syfy/EW Party @ Hotel Solamar (Invite Only)

Sunday, July 25, 2010 (Comic-con 2010):

• 91X X-Fest feat. 311, Offspring, Pepper, Cake, Unwritten Law, Paper Tongues, Civil Twilight (Cornerstone), Neon Trees, Authority Zero, Circa Survive
• Miniature Tigers, The Spinto Band @ House of Blues, Voodoo Stage (Free, All Ages, 7 pm)
• Sleepy Sun, Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound, Miranda Lee Richards @ Casbah
• CS Touring & Soda Bar present Sick of it All, 50 Lions, Alpha and Omega, Take Offense @ Che Cafe (Tickets $10)
• Lyle Lovett and his Large Band, Kat Edmonson @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay
• The Black Seeds, Stick Figure, The Hold Up @ Belly Up
• Silian Rail, The Burning of Rome @ Bar Pink
• Amber Pacific, Halifax, Victory In Numbers, City Lights, A Sky Harbor, Watch Us Burn @ Epicentre (doors at 6:30 pm, all ages)
• Soul Food Sundays @ Tower Bar
• Klub Isolation feat. DJs Bryan Pollard * AmBones@ Ruby Room
• Karaoke with Daryl Johnston @ Soda Bar
• Tribe of Kings/Reggae Vibes @ U-31
• TRC Sound System @ O'Connell's
• Ari Herstand, Gaia's Blues, Zsuzsanna @ Lestat's
• Acoustic Alliance/Singers In The Round (artists TBA) @ Brick By Brick
• Jose Sinatra's OB-O-ke @ Winston's
• Luscious Noise (feat. members of San Diego Symphony) @ Anthology (Early Show 7:30pm)
• Sing or Die Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club
• Too Many Creeps DJs feat Mario O & friends @ Whistle Stop
• Comicsonline Presents Random Gibberish, The Megas, Kirby Krackle , costume contest @ Dreamstreet
• Double Bass Summit feat. Bertrum Turetzky, Marshall Hawkins, Bob Magnusson, Mark Dresser, Jeremy Kurtz, Rob Thorsen, Andres Martin, & Gunnar Biggs with Joshua White and Duncan Moore @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)
• Jesse Davis @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge Brunch, 10a-2p
• Willovealot @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• L.E.D. Presents Toolroom Knights, Chris Lake, Anthony Ross @ Voyeur
• Sunday Pub Quiz @ Gallagher's
• Athenaeum Summer Festival feat. Gustavo Romero @ Neuroscientists Institute (4 pm)

Comic-con 2010: Friday Photos

While Thursday night was full of awesome, it also kicked my ass, making Friday a very lazy day. Not to mention I had to get my NBC listings in and a couple posts up, so I didn't actually leave the house until after 5 pm, grabbing a lifesaving sandwich from Clem's (the San Diegan is the bomb), and catching the bus downtown. I was heading to a party at Analog, though I understood that the doors were at 6:30 and The Good Listeners would be playing at 7, that was not the case. Doors were at 7 for media with the actual party starting at 8 and the band playing at 9. It was a good thing Aaron and Heather work there and they entertained me while I waited. We only stayed for a couple songs because the band didn't start until almost 9:45, though I did have a chance to meet Clark and he was a very nice guy. (I'm making up for it by watching their DVD, Don't Quit Your Daydream, right now.)

Pyles met me at Analog and we headed to a party at the Hard Rock Hotel, passing Stingaree on the way, where they had a photo/press line with the cast of Spartacus, took some photos, then got to the Hard Rock. Unfortunately, I think we arrived too late and most of the celebrities were gone, but there were a few and we snapped photos. I also have to say we met a couple guys who were outside the red ropes and they were awesome, so happy birthday to you, Paul P., I hope to see you again. And I'm confident with your charisma, charm, and personality that you won't be getting other people's coffee for long, though I'm still not entirely convinced you aren't an actor and tricked the hell outta me.


James Frain (plays Franklin Mott on True Blood)

From there, the night was kind of a bust...the line for the EA Sports line was long, Stingaree wouldn't let us in with shorts/sneakers, and most of downtown felt like, well, a Friday night in downtown, i.e. somewhere I didn't wanna be. After a quick stop in Ciro's, it was time to bid adieu to downtown to recharge the batteries for tomorrow. For more pics, click 'keep on reading'.


Bonus: Check out the True Blood trailer that was released at the panel:


Season 3: Comic-Con Second Half Preview

Analog Bar. They've been open a couple weeks, but the official grand opening is happening on Thursday, July 29.


Tim Pyles: Superhero


Seth Green got in on the superhero fun. The cast of Spartacus did a press line at Stingaree.






Corey Feldman (l) and Adam Scott were at the Hard Rock. I think Adam is promoting Piranha 3D, but I was a big fan of his role on the HBO series Tell Me You Love Me.


Thomas Jane plays Ray Drecker on HBO's Hung. He had some interesting footwear...




Ciro's was converted by the Cartoon Network. After 3 days of the Con, I bought some slices but was too exhausted to even eat them. Yikes. I'm going to bed. Hasta mañana!

Things To Do In San Diego: July 23, 2010

Click 'keep on reading' for July 23 archive.

More comic-con goodness and tons of good shows, too.

Friday, July 23, 2010 (Comic-con 2010):

• Fm 94/9 presents Pinback @ Del Mar Summer Concert Series


• Heroes Among Us Launch feat. live performance by The Good Listeners @ Analog (6:30 pm, RSVP)
• TV.com presents the NOW awards. John Oliver hosts, Spoon and VV Brown to perform @ Petco Park (5-7 pm, doors at 4)


• The Loons (CD Release), The Creepy Creeps, The Deep Ones @ Casbah


• Kelli Scarr, The Shivers @ The Park Gallery


• Vans presents Johnny Rad/JJ Rad Fest feat. The Zeros, Nobunny, The Kabbs, The Wax Idols, The Boy Toys @ Ken Club


• Vans presents JJ/Johnny Rad Fest feat. The Last Years, Space Nature, Chad @ Tower Bar


• The Fire Eaters @ Whistle Stop


• Patton Oswalt @ House of Blues (7 pm & 10 pm)


• Joel McHale @ Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay (6:30 pm & 9 pm)


• Jeepers Comic-con After Party feat. Vokab Kompany, Daft Punk'd (the tribute feat. DJ Nathan Black & Ron DMC), DJ Brady Spear @ 4th & B (costumes welcome, $10 presale/$15 door, or RSVP for free admission)


• Classic Rock night with Platinum Rockstars (recreating Journey, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and Van Halen), FOOu, DJ Man-cat @ Belly Up


• Le Butcherettes, Marquez, Shapes of Future Frames @ Soda Bar


• The Downs Family@ The Rivera


• Bonkers! DJs Junior & Atari @ Bar Pink


• Bagdad, Slipping Into Darkness, Zodac Death Valley, Doves and Desperados @ Tin Can


• Three Fifths Human, Tawl Tayle, Flow Dimaggio, Ponder, DJ Brianeye @ Beauty Bar


• Astra Kelly @ Voyeur (7-9pm, Free)


• The Insiders and guests @ Ruby Room


• Mahfia.com Launch Party @ El Dorado


• Anuhea @ Sound Wave


• Feel The Noise Electro Dance feat. Sexoflex, DJs Gabe Vega, Saul Q @ U-31


• Sweettooth, Grays Well, The Jake Allen Band @ O'Connell's


• Supa Dupa feat. Cosmic Kids, Mr. Biggs, Colour Vision, Kimbo @ El Camino


• The Gregory Page Show @ Lestat's


• 100 Monkeys @ House of Blues, Voodoo Stage


• Aizen, Simshrift, My Elysian, In Silence,Comfort In Rage, Reconstruct The Dream @ Brick By Brick


• Mike Pinto, Ballyhoo, Tommy Dubs @ Winston's


• Concrete Project, Stockyard Reggae Music, Chicharones @ 710 Beach Club


• Drop Dead Gorgeous, Sleeping With Sirens, Attila, Abandon All Ships, For All Those Sleeping, Woe Is Me, Scarlett O Hara @ Soma


• Albatross Overdrive, Ride The Sun, Lead Burns Red, Trailer Park Rockstar @ Dreamstreet


• The Heroes @ Belly Up (happy hour, 5:30 pm)


• Federal Funk @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge


• Bella Donna (A Tribute to Stevie Nicks) @ Anthology (Early Show 7:30pm)


• Led Zepplica (the music of Led Zeppelin) @ Anthology (Late Show 10 pm)


• L.E.D. Presents Riva Starr, Anthony Ross, Bareback DJs @ Voyeur


• Heavy Glow @ Gallagher's


• Comic Con Exodus feat. Philly B, Jonathan Brae, Hellphonic, Baquai?, W.Y.S.R.D., Atomic Buddha @ Spin (Free with costume before 11 pm, 9:30 pm-4 am)


• Stepping Feet @ The Marble Room


• Haile Selassie Day/Sugar Minott Tribute by Lloyd Brown and guests @ WorldBeat Center


• Summer Pops: Michael Cavanaugh (sings the songs of Elton John) @ Embarcadero Marina Park South


• Chuck Fan Tweetup @ Bar Ninety


• City of Heroes Party @ Edge Room, Hard Rock Hotel (7:30 pm, info/RSVP)


• Marked Men Pirate Party @ Star of India/HMS Surprise (8pm-1am)


• The Tweet House @ USS Midway


• WOWIO's Comic-con Cruise (Invite Only)

Comic-Con Day 2 In Photos

Thursday turned out to be a serendipitous day. It felt like everything fell into place at exactly the right moment, from finding a perfect non-meter street parking spot to walking up on David Hasselhoff (believe me, you would've gotten caught up in the moment, too), to snatching a last minute invite to the Wired Magazine Reader party, to getting front of the line when the Adult Swim ice cream truck pulled up an getting into the Machete event early as press. It was a day of awesome and as I prepare for another day of the fun, check out the photos from yesterday (click keep on reading.)

Oh, an one more thing. Robert Rodriguez, will you marry me?

The Hoff Hits The Streets of San Diego

The parking gods were kind in giving us all day meter-free parking on Wednesday and Thursday, and the 10-block hike from the East Village was really nothing (though it's a good reminder that just because something is free doesn't mean you have to have it). It allowed me to catch up on tweets as I walked toward the Gaslamp and read a tweet about David Hasselhoff playing a pop-up concert. As I read the text, we neared the main drag and heard music. I told Tim about the Hoff performing and no sooner did the words leave my mouth, we see a swirl of people passing by and a double decker bus, with David Hasselhoff performing live on top. We caught the bus passing by on 5th Avenue, then went back for pics of the Adult Swim mural, and the bus circled behind us on 6th.
See more if you 'keep on reading'




It was also preceded by a parade of chicks in the iconic red Baywatch bathing suits, a bunch of lookalikes in Knight Rider-esque cars, and an oom-pah-pah band. I think because it was unexpected, and that David Hasselhoff can really laugh at himself and all his public missteps make him such an icon, and certainly had me get all papparazzi trying to get good shots while running alongside the bus. With all sincerity, for being such a cheeseball, I bet David Hasselhoff would be a really fun person to know and I imagine his reality show will be wildly successful.

Saturday: Hollywood Steve presents Yacht Rock 12

I've long been a fan of Hollywood Steve and the Yacht Rock series. Pointing out the inane smooth tunes of yesteryear, the internet parody can probably be blamed for the resurrection of boat shoes and hideous horizontal striped shirts among hipsters. This weekend, Hollywood Steve makes his way to San Diego to present the twelfth and final installment of Yacht Rock at the Whistle Stop, as DJ Claire and Ascot spin the hate-them-so-much-you-love-them songs of the Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, Loggins and Messina and more. You can see episode 12 on the web, but wouldn't you rather see it on a large screen among costumed friends at the Whistle Stop? I think you would. I think you should. The event takes place on Saturday starting at 5 pm.



For all the episodes, check out the YouTube page.

Things To Do In San Diego: July 22, 2010

For July 22 archive, click 'keep on reading' below.

I survived preview night, though my feet and back took a beating already. Tonight is probably the biggest night for parties and such so take a close look or you might miss something. Listings for Fri-Sun are after the jump.

Thursday July 22, 2010 (Comic-con 2010):

• Living Room Live feat. Transfer @ W Hotel (Unplugged, 7-9 pm, No Cover)
• Daydream Nation presents Mix Master Mike, Hyena, Shark Attack (DJ set), DJ Leif @ Fluxx Live ($10 adv/$15 day of)
• Comic-con Showcase feat MC Lars, MC Frontalot, Ytcracker, Random @ Casbah
• Vans presents JJ/Johnny Rad Fest feat. The Widows, The Grids, The Embalmers, The Deep Ones, rand Tarantula @ Tower Bar
• Beat Panther, 88:88, Art show by Brooks Sterling, Michael Amorillo, JFeather, Screening of "The Cove", guest speaker Kelly Lu @ West Coast Tavern/Birch North Park Theatre (art at 6 pm, film screens at 7 pm, music starts at 9 pm)
• w00tstock 2.4 with Adam Savage, Wil Wheaton, Paul & Storm @ 4th & B
• Ghetto Blaster, Dead Ghost, Fkenal @ Ruby Room
• 6.4=Makeout Night feat. Slow Animal @ Whistle Stop
• Guggenheim Grotto, Scott Mathiasen @ Lestat's
• Robyn, Kelis, Dan Black, Far East Movement @ Belly Up
• Eyes, Jesus Is Angry, Mrs. Magician @ Soda Bar
• Black Diamond Riders @ Bar Pink
• Revision 3: Diggnation, Mike Relm, The Totally Rad Show, iFanBoy @ House of Blues (7:30 pm, Free, All ages, First come, first served. Guarantee admission with a 6-7:30 dinner reservation. Must call HoB ahead of time and tell them you're attending Diggnation)
• POP Thursdays: A Hard Day's Night screening @ Museum of Photographic Arts
• Street of Little Girls, Chappo, Long Claws @ Tin Can
• A Moveable West @ Park Gallery
• The Get Down, Ad-Seg, Francesca Valle, Joalby & Esjay, The Down Falls @ Dreamstreet
• Silverstein, Dance Gavin Dance, Emery, I Set My Friends On Fire, We Came As Romans, Sky Eats Airplane, Ivoryline @ Soma
• Taboo Band (a tribute to Sade) @ Anthology
• Bangladesh, Neon Nights, Abandon the Raft @ Beauty Bar
• Keep A Breast Fundraiser @ El Dorado
• The Concrete Project, GG Hair Art @ Winston's
• Riviera Jazz Jam @ Riviera Supper Club
• Fire Corner @ Club Kadan
• Bozzani Brothers, DJ Swoll @ Coyote Bar & Grill
• Mystique @ Humphreys Backstage Live
• Sandy, Burnett, John Guillano, Marty Waak @ Cafe La Maze
• The Flock of 80's @ Henry's Pub
• An Acoustic Evening w/ Jefferson Jay @ Portugalia
• Buick Wilson @ Patrick's II
• Firefly @ Valley View Casino
• Wendy Bailey & True Stories @ Second Wind Navajo
• Live Zion @ Gallagher's
• Karaoke @ O'Connell's
• Off Track, The Good Bites, Hocus @ Boar Cross'n
• Esjay @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
• Rock Out Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club
• Ringo Jones Gang @ Tiki House
• Through The Roots, The Wiley One @ The Stage Saloon
• Big City Shaman @ McP's Irish Pub
• Steampower Giraffe! @ Queen Bee's
• Sexy Super Heroines/Evil Temptresses presents a comic book burlesque show: The Dollhouse Dames revealed @ The Marble Room
• Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy @ Embarcadero Marina Park South
• Save The Radio @ Hennessey's Carlsbad
• Alyssa Jacey @ Fletcher Cove (Solana Beach)
• Boom Studios Drinkup feat. Wark Waid, Ross Richie, Matt Gagnon, Chip Mosher and the rest of Boom @ Hilton Bayfront, Odysea Bar (No RSVP/Invite required. 9pm)
• Threadless Comics-on Launch Party @ Industry Showroom (336 6th Ave. 7:30 pm. RSVP here.)
• Omi Unmasked Party DJs Colby & R-Rated, live art @ Bar Basic
• From Dusk Til Shawn X-Sanguin Party @ El Camino (Free, RSVP req'd)
• Samarais and Schoolgirls Party feat. Naruwan Taiko Drummers, DJs Robin Roth, Superfly Brown, DJ GarGar, live art, more @ Mainline (1676 Main Street, 9pm-4am, TIX)
• Rusko, Bubblegum Sci-Fi, Slowhand @ Red Circle Loft Bar (must RSVP to megan@dubfrequency.com)
• LA Times Hero Complex Party @ Puma Store (RSVP req'd but doesn't guarantee entry)
• G4/Lucasfilm "Gphoria Strikes Back" VIP Party @ Hard Rock Hotel (Invite Only)

Comic-con Preview Night: Just Dance 2

I had a great day at Comic-con, running around with Mr. Pyles after our Casbah meeting and finally making it to the convention center around 3. On our way to the Con, we bumped into Ken (aka @RedTheTrucker) who gave us the lowdown on several offsite events and things to see on our walk over. We stopped by the Culy building near at 335 6th (between J & K), where Flynn's Arcade was being set up again and watched them unload some video games.



We then swung by Petco Park, where the Candy Factory was being transformed into Britt Reid's Garage to promote the Green Hornet. We, however were more interested in checking out the field. There are rumors of a huge event this weekend so we took some photos from the Padres Store and concluded that they definitely were going to set up some sort of stage or platforms to protect the grass. Rumors of Daft Punk playing on Saturday to promote Tron abound. I have no information about that, though it has definitely been rented all day Saturday. What I've been told and been able to find out is that on Friday, TV.com is hosting the NOW awards. They're from 5-7pm with doors opening at 4pm. John Oliver is hosting, with Spoon and VV Brown performing live.

We finally made it to the convention center and unintentionally cut into the press line. We were quickly scolded by others that the end of the line was far, far away. It was ridiculous how long that line was. So naturally we decided that was a terrible idea and went into the general registration area and walked right up with no wait and successfully got our press passes. When 75% of preview night attendees are "Press and Industy" this stupid line just doesn't make sense.
After getting our badges, I had to get my listings in to SoundDiego, so I found the media room while Pyles found a little hideaway outside (where he also found an outlet to charge his phone). Once I finished my work, we wandered until the doors opened and made our way in without waiting in one of those crazy lines. I would say at this point that those lines are primarily for collectors and people who know exactly what limited edition things they want to buy, but I ended up buying some of that limited edition crap...still I'm glad we avoided lining up for anything.

I'd post more photos but they're gonna be over on SoundDiego.com, so instead, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite moments of the night.



By the way, even with all my tips, I feel busted and broken after just one day. Tomorrow I expect to travel lighter and I hope my nieces and sister appreciate that damn Ugly Dolls collector series I bought them and then had to lug around for 4 hours. I believe my plan tomorrow is to hit the con in the early afternoon, hit up Britt Reid's Garage, check back on Petco, drop by the Wired readers lounge, grab a slice of pizza at the Cartoon Network Pizzeria, check out Machete and the taco truck and then finish up the night at FLUXX. No rest for the wicked.

Things To Do In San Diego: July 21, 2010

I've gotten wind of more parties and such, and I'll add them to my listings when I get a chance, but here's the outlook for the week right now. Sorry for the weird spacing but the browser crashed. I'll have to fix that later. On to the Con!

Wednesday July 21, 2010 (Comic-con Preview Night/Del Mar Racetrack Opening Day):

• Maps and Atlases, Cults, The Globes @ Casbah
• Jackson Browne, David Lindley @ Humphrey's Concerts by The Bay (sold out)
• Joel P West & The Tree Ring @ Lux at Night Art Institute (7 pm, 21+, $5 suggested donation)
• Shawn Mullins, Alex Woodard @ Green Flash Concert Series, Birch Aquarium
• The Otisturbine, The Midwinters, Immoveable Objects, Silky Seymour @ Ruby Room
• Live Wednesday Presents and acoustic evening with Metrofique, Zank, Dawn Mitschele, DJ Corey Hurley @ U-31 (Peggy Calhoun's Birthday Celebration)
• Lycaon Pictus, Bella Novella @ Bar Pink
• Arms Entwined, Danny and The Tramp @ Tin Can
• Kevin Max, Sara Macintosh, Trevor Davis @ Lestat's
• The Poison Control Center, Red Pony Clock, Chairs Missing @ Soda Bar
• Ninja Love, Guava Belly, Neon Cough, XRY @ Beauty Bar
• Leela James @ Anthology
• Now. Hear. This. feat. DJs Jimmy Lavalle (The Album Leaf) & Frank Melendez (Riverberb) spinning local music @ Whistle Stop
• Alejandro Sanz @ San Diego Sports Arena
• High Noon Concert Jam: Manny Cepeda and "Ritmo Caribe" @ City Heights Urban Village Performance Annex (3795 Fairmont Ave)
• Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ Gallaghers
• The Most Interesting Del Mar After Party with Atomic Groove and Hell on Heels Burlesque @ Belly Up
• Fish Out of Water @ Winston's
• Ill Intention, Enthraller, Rag Doll City, Esjay @ O'Connell's
• Gilbert Castellanos and The New Latin Jazz Quintet @ El Camino
• Private Domain @ Humphreys Backstage Live
• Wendy Bailey and True Stories @ Second Wind Santee
• 5th Annual Warped Tour Battle of the Bands 2010 @ Brick by Brick
• Northstar @ Coyote Bar
• Bankers Hill, Vinyl Film @ 710 Beach Club
• Jesse Lamonaca and The Dime Novels @ Riviera Supper Club
• Johnny Vernazza @ Patrick's ll
• Burnett's Bliss @ Cafe La Maze
• Dough Nation, No Face, Black Sancho & The Movement, Nutty Buddies, Temi Auto, Nikki & The Mongoloids, MZ Chief, Problumz, Bilal @ Dreamstreet Live
• Metal Fury, Skynards Innnyrds @ Second Wind Navajo
• Shaken at the Kraken feat. Frankie Dee & Funk-Natra @ The Kraken
• Vinyl & Vino: DJ Artistic spins The Doors @ House of Blues
• Wednesday Night Shakedown @ Henry's Pub
• Knight Vision @ Club Kadan
• Christopher Dale, Robin Henkel, Cathryn Beeks @ Postcards American Bistro @ Handlery Hotel
• Tommy Price @ McP's Irish Pub
• Opening Day Pre + Post Party feat. DJ Sid Vicious, DJ Kurch, DJ 1Man @ Bar West
• Karaoke with Laura Jane @ Wit's End
• The Chi Club, Beggar and the Pen, Tim Tormey and Riki Michele, Mark Miller @ The Stage Saloon
• Jimmy Lewis @ Tiki House
• Vokab Company @ Voyeur
• Grupo Niche @ Blue Agave
• Ashley Matte @ The Marble Room
• Sharon Hazel Township @ Portugalia
• Antiquark @ Skybox Sports Bar & Grill
• Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em Improv Show feat Alex Albrecht, Felicia Day, Tony Janning, Jeff Lewis and more @ Lyceum Theatre (8:30 pm)

Things To Do In San Diego: July 20, 2010

I have been looking forward to tonight's Jace Everett show for a long time. In my head, the True Blood cast inconspicuosly shows up and everyone orders cranhammers and just rocks out without any crazy paps or fans going nutso. I know it won't happen, but still. Imagine how cool that would be. If you're not going to the Casbah, be sure to head to Tin Can and grab a copy of Bear and Fox #2. Randall is awesome and his comic book humor is brilliant. I've still been rounding up events and found this crazy guide to all the Comic-con parties, but they're mostly all invite-only so I won't integrate them into the listings, but it's still kinda fun to think about all the celebrities running around town this week. Wednesday through Sunday listings are after the jump.

Tuesday July 20, 2010:

• Jace Everett, 7th Day Buskers, Matt Haeck @ Casbah
• Bob Nanna @ M-Theory Music Instore (Free, All Ages, 7 pm)
• Bear and Fox comic book release party, music by Teenage Wasteland, Lord Hammer, Muchacho D, and special Bear and Fox DJ set by DJ Shoeshine, hosted by creator Randall Christopher @ Tin Can (Free, all attendees get a free copy of Bear and Fox)
• Club Millenia: The Styletones, Craig Dawson, Mr. MeLoDik & The PlaYers, DJ II Smooth @ Belly Up
• Just Like Jenna, The Credentials, The Atom Age, Shaky Legs & TheTeardrops @ Ruby Room
• Local Brews Local Grooves: Family Wagon, Wendy Bailey and True Stories, Colin Clyne, Three Degrees Off Center @ House of Blues, Voodoo Stage
• Nena Anderson and friends @ Riviera Supper Club
• Cowabunga Babes, Woah Hunx, Christmas Island @ Soda Bar
• Christmas Island, Woah Hunx, Tape Deck Mountain, Jungle Fever, and Cowabunga Babes @ Che Cafe (6pm)
• Ke$ha, Mickey Avalon, DJ Skeet Skeet, Beardo @ House of Blues
• The Plastic Revolution, Ephraim Sommers @ True North
• Tiki Two's Day feat. Mr. Adrian Demain, guest @ Bar Pink
• PechaKucha hosted by Dave Brown @ Whistle Stop
• Open Mic w/ Jefferson Jay @ Gallagher's
• 2 Year Anniversary Party & Costume Contest feat. DJs Man-Cat & Coda Collins, live art by Ale Garza @ The Office
• Ishmael & The Peacemakers, The Optimators @ Winston's
• Anthology House Band @ Anthology
• Dave Booda @ Tiki House
• The Stilettos @ Henry's Pub
• Darkwave Garden @ Club Kadan
• Red Lotus Revue, Levi Wise @ The Stage Saloon
• Audra Connolly @ RT's Longboard Grill
• Comedy Night with Mal Hall @ Lestat's
• Doug Allen, Suzy Bongo @ The Kraken
• Danny DiCarlo's Respondents @ Patrick's ll
• Trade Winds @ Humphreys Backstage Live
• Tomcat Courtney @ La Gran Tapa
• Open Mic hosted by Chuck Shiele @ O'Connell's
• Karaoke @ Cafe La Maze
• Karaoke @ Coyote Bar & Grill
• Game Night/Beer Pong @ 710 Beach Club

Geek Out: Comic-Con is Almost Here!

Last week I started to get more excited about Comic-Con (not to mention started this post, which I'm finally finishing now). As invitations for media only events rolled in and I started thinking I was going to have some VIP week, I was quickly brought back down to earth with the realization that my e-mail address is basically sold to all the Comic-con PR companies and usually an RSVP for a really cool event bounces back with a “and who are you?” Turns out, they don't really care if some local blogger covers their shit. Still, there's so much cool shit going on. If you're attending, you're probably already more aware than I am with all the happenings and buzz events. There’s not one specific thing I’m excited for this year, but as you can tell by my listings, there is so much going on that just the air feels electric around this time of year.

I’ve never braved the lines for panels, but this year I just might. Some of my favorite people are scheduled to appear or be in town like Joel McHale (Talk Soup, Community), Rob Corddry (Children’s Hospital), Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim), and Chris Hardwick (@nerdist), not to mention most of the cast of True Blood. Plus the boys I met last year from Seattle are coming back down and they are much more in tune with the big deal stuff that happens at Con, so I’m looking forward to benefitting from their wisdom.

I’ve been trying to come up with a simple guide for Comic-con but it’s grown so expansive, I’ll just point out a few key guides and then suggest that you follow my Twitter List of Comic-con peeps.

Obviously, the main comic-con website is going to be the main site for all your panel information. Follow the official site in real time via twitter @Comic_con.

There are a lot of non-official comic-con sites and some of them kick ass. This one has a good event list and they can be followed in real time via twitter @SD_Comic_Con.

Last, the San Diego City Guide at Examiner.com has a great set of events. They have some of the meetups and tweetups that I skipped in my list, and has the RSVP links and more detail on events. Cynthia Adkins, the woman behind the list, should be followed on Twitter via @SDatLarge.

I've been compiling a list of other interesting people to follow on Twitter, so if you'd like to just follow my list, click here.

Finally, a few years ago, Daye introduced me to Craig Silke, who had been on the reality show "The Mole" and had told me that he'd started an agency, in fact, The Agency. They put together a fun little Comic-con Bingo card that you can print out and make a game of your people watching.

If you have suggestions to add to my twitter list or additional events, please leave them in the comments.