Things To Do In San Diego: Friday, January 3-Wednesday, January 8, 2025: Tell-Tale Hearts Tribute | Big Sandy | John McCain | Swive | Wars Away | Auz Fontaine | Bowie Birthday Bash |

I have been trying to be online as minimally as possible this week, so I'm just gonna present the listings through Wednesday and we'll be back on track with Thursday morning publishing. I hope everyone had a great Christmas, Hannukah, New Year's, etc., and dodged this stupid cold that is going around. 

Stay Safe out there.  

Things To Do In San Diego: Friday, December 27, 2024-Thursday, January 2, 2025: The Cure Dance Party | Karl Denson | Schizophonics | Social D | Twin Ritual | Starcrawler | X |

I had a really great Christmas with my family but I'm still not quite feeling 100%, so I went back to urgent care, they said I'm more or less fine, gave me a 48-72 hour steroid to reduce inflammation. Apparently the stuff made me superhuman for a day, because I went to the zoo until about 7, did some shopping, then went to SeaWorld to take advantage of their late hours, then came home and did listings until 5am, just in time to post at 6am. So this is what you get. I'm not listing every bougie venue that is having a NYE thing, but obviously there are a lot, so I will find the more traditional events that should make the cut in these listings and get them added...but...the kid is in the Holiday Bowl Parade in a few hours and I'm not sure if we're expected to attend, watch the stream on TV (it's on TV, right?) or it doesn't matter either way and I still just need to get some sleep. 

I love you all. 2024 has been a real shitshow with too many deaths of friends we love, but some pretty beautiful memories and moments all mixed in. Then we had the fucked up election, so maybe we should really be living up these final days of the Biden Administration because I thought TFG was the worst of the worst, but apparently he finds the ones even worse than him to highlight just how fucked up he is and how fucked we will all be with this coming administration. But we'll have music. We'll have beauty. We have to find joy. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Monday, December 30, 2019-Monday, January 6, 2020

I decided to update the listings because a few more venues came through with events, the Casbah sold out, and a couple other things came up. We spent Friday at Safari Park and on Saturday I took a field photography class in Coronado which was interesting, but I really didn't get any pictures that I found interesting at all, just a bunch of Christmas trees at the Del. Saturday night I did merch for The Crystal Method at Music Box, and Sunday we had a dinner at one of our favorite spots, 777 Noodle House, and I interviewed The Cavemen at Soda Bar. Nova left to St. Louis today but it's going to be a short trip and she's only gone until Friday. I hope everyone has a safe and joyous New Year's Eve and start to 2020. Listings through Monday are after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: Friday, December 27-Sunday, December 29, 2019

It's mostly been a relaxing week but I should've done these listings earlier so I didn't keep my SoundDiego team waiting. But Exile on Kettner happened at the Casbah on Tuesday, Christmas was busy with family and we zonked out super early, and then Thursday I hung out with my cousin, sister, and nieces in PB at my cousin's hotel before diving into these listings. And I kinda have to say it was a little bit of a waste of time. I did them all the way through January 6th, but being the last week of the last month of the year and the first week of the new year, venue calendars just haven't been updated. So I'll have to go back and check for updates from Bar Pink, Whistle Stop, The Office, El Dorado, and several others next week. But for at least now, I've got a lot of the important NYE stuff up and I'll revisit when I get the chance. My dream of postings photos from about three dozen shows still hasn't happened, but maybe my time will free up while Nova's in St. Louis. Until then, listings through January 6 are all after the jump. Happy New Year from my little family to yours.

New Year's Eve Events in San Diego

I'll work on all of the listings through the next week or so, but it's time to start planning your NYE. I tried to float all the live music events at our regular haunts toward the top, but as you can see, there is no shortage of events to be found in San Diego.

Monday, December 31, 2018:

• New Year's Eve Soiree on The Bay with The Redwoods Revue - Dani Bell and The Tarantist, The Midnight Pine, Cardinal Moon, Birdy Bardot, Jake Najor & the Moment of Truth @ Loew's Coronado Resort
• The Schizophonics, The Creepy Creeps, The Widows, Scary Pierre @ Casbah 
• NYE Party with Weatherbox Pistolita, positioner @ Soda Bar
• Magic Giant, Kosta @ The Irenic 
• New Years Eve with Bruin and Well Well Well @ Seven Grand (No Cover)  
• NYE Dance Party with DJs JuniortheDiscopunk and Vaughn @ Bar Pink
• Euphoric Haze! feat Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, Mrs. Henry, The Rollers, Creature & The Woods, The Sleepwalkers, Strawberry Moon, Hiroshima Mockingbirds, Babydoll Warriors and DJs Ratty and Lexicon Devil @ Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club, and Bungalows 
• La Escalera New Years w/Civil War Rust, Mercy Music, Jennie Cotteril & Stacey Dee, Squarecrow, Hey Chels, Se Vends, Le Saboteur, MIT @ Tower Bar 
• LED presents OMFG! NYE 2019 with Porter Robinson, 1788-L, Ekali, Gammer, San Holo, Valentino Khan, Yetep @ Pechanga Arena (SOLD OUT)
• Booty Bassment NYE with Dmitri and Rob @ Whistle Stop
• Tron Themed NYE 80s New Wave Dance Party @ Blonde 
• Catamaran NYE Beach Party @ Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa (Tickets are all inclusive with drinks/hors d'ouevres)
• Big Night San Diego NYE Gala @ Hilton Bayfront (Tickets are all inclusive with drinks/buffet)
• NYE Yacht Party @ Hornblower Cruises
• NYE 2019 with Miles Medina & Friends, Hickies & Dryhumps, DJ Tanner @ House Of Blues
• Michael Franti & Spearhead @ Belly Up (SOLD OUT)
• Atomic Groove's NYE @ Belly Up (Happy Hour 5pm)
• New Year's Eve Boombox with Ryan Bauer and Omega Squad @ Music Box 
• 4B X Insomniac Event @ Bassmnt
• New Years Eve Spectacular with Spencer Day @ Martini's Above Fourth
• We Like to Party: New Years Eve! 90's Pop Dance Party @ Space (Free!)
• NYE Party: Wheeland Brothers, Irieality, The Gravities @ 710 Beach Club
• NYE 2018 with Kid Ink, DJ Pauly D and 15+ more DJs on 3 floors @ Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
• FNGRS CRSSD feat. Sofi Tukker, Animal Talk @ Spin
• Coin-Op Snow Lodge @ Coin-Op North Park
• NYE Bash with Three Chord Justice @ Riviera Supper Club
• San Diego Holiday Bowl @ SDCCU Stadium
• New Year's Eve Party with Electric Waste Band @ Winston's (9pm)
• New Beer's Eve @ North Park Brewing Company (noon)
• New Year's Bash with Chloe Lou & The Liddells, Alvino & The Dwells @ Rosie O'Grady's
• NYE with HBp & Decibel DJs @ 619 Spirits North Park (open at 4pm|party at 8pm. No Cover)
• NYE @ Sycamore Den 
• The Second City Improv All Stars @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• Yankton @ Moonshine Flats 
• Jerry Jacobs @ Moonshine Beach
• Craft Beer New Year @ Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens
• NYE 2019 feat 90s Hip hop/House/Pop @ Til-Two Club (includes Nacho Bar)
• NYE Gala with XIV, Burlesque by Luna Nouveau @ Navajo Live
• Greatest Hits @ The Shout! House
• Latin NYE with Julio de la Huerta & Band @ The Westgate Hotel
• Ball on Broadway @ Parq 
• NYE with Coriander, Keep Your Soul@ Tin Roof 
• NYE Dance Party @ Manhattan Bar (NO COVER)
• Custard Pie @ Pour House 
• NYE with Mr Dejay @ West Coast Tavern
• Beachfront Bash @ Belmont Park (Draft South Mission/Beach House/ Cannonball)
• Black Cat Wax New Year's Eve Soiree @ Black Cat Bar
• Party Favor @ Omnia 
• DJ Drama @ FLUXX
• Salsa & Bachata New Year's Eve with DJ Ukeim and DJ Malakaii @ Queen Bee's
• NYE Time Zone Party with DJ Kylita @ Tiger!Tiger! (5pm-2am)
• Alternative New Year's Eve Ascension @ Worldbeat Center (7pm)
• Bottoms Up NYE @ Altitude Sky Lounge 
• Knotty NYE @ Knotty Barrel
• 7th Annual Moonlight San Diego New Year's Eve Cruise @ California Spirit Yacht 
• NYE Neon Skate @ SkateWorld (6pm-1am, includes skates, pizza, drink, hats, horns, glow sticks. 2 countdowns- 9pm & 12am)
• LED Presents Ekali @ Bang Bang
• PB&J Black and White Masquerade with DJs Adam Salter, Ikah Love, Brian Rose @ El Dorado
• NYE with DJ XP @ The Rail (Brass Rail)
• New York NYE @ The Brewers Tap Room (9pm)
• Black & Gold NYE Party @ Maritime Museum of San Diego 
• NYE Dinner Cruise @ Flagship Cruises & Events (8pm boarding)
• Double NYE feat The Fooks @ The Field (4pm & 12am) 
• Le Disco @ Vin De Syrah
• New Year's Eve 2018 with DJs EdROC & Heminguey @ The Office
• NYE Celebration with Shane Hall @ Prohibition Lounge (9:30pm)
• Beef & Bourbon NYE Supper Club @ Prohibition Lounge (6:30pm)
• NYE Salsa, Bachata, y Mas @ Tio Leo's
• Detroit Underground @ Humphrey's Backstage Live (9pm)
• Tiki NYE @ The Grass Skirt (6pm-12am) 
• NYE Rooftop Party @ Andaz
• NYE Bourbon, Bubbles, & Bow Ties @ Barleymash
• The Roaring '20s NYE Party @ Henry's
• NYE @ Side Bar
• NYE DJ/Toast/Wine/Beer Specials/Food Trucks @ 32 North Brewing
• Gatsby's House @ Hotel Republic (9pm-2am)
• NYE @ The Tipsy Crow
• NYE 2018: Fire & Ice @ McFadden's
• Trivia With Arnie @ Bancroft Bar
• Open Mic @ Lestat's
• NYE on the Rooftop @ Level 9, Hotel Indigo (No Cover, Champagne Toast)
• Black & White NYE Party @ InCahoots
• Romantico NYE @ Porto Vista Hotel (Little Italy)
• NYE with The Counterfeits @ McGregor's (No cover before 9am)
• A Vintage New Years Eve: Ring in 2019! 3 course dinner & no cover cocktail party with DJ Jon Wesley @ The Pearl Hotel 
• New Year's Eve with DJ Bacon Bits  @ U-31
• Neighborhood NYE with DJ Wonderbread @ The Smoking Gun 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, December 31, 2015-Sunday, January 3, 2016

I realized this week as I looked at Facebook that pretty much every bar in San Diego is doing something for NYE, but I didn't go too far above and beyond the usual live music spots. This has been a pretty good week- The Office Undercover was great on Monday night, and we spent Tuesday in Mt Laguna playing in snow and Wednesday freezing by the Big Bay at Coronado Ferry Landing. I wish I could say I have big NYE plans myself, but Darren and Nova have both been a little bit sick and this is the first year Darren and I don't have to work and thus, our first year together with Nova. So I suspect we'll do some low key family gathering and then if they zonk out, I might sneak off to the Casbah.  I have no major year end deep thoughts or lists, just trying to keep on top of everything to keep all the pieces moving for this site and all of my other projects. Thursday through Sunday archives are after the jump.

NYE at the Casbah: Terraplane Sun, Jackson Price, The Paragraphs, The Yes Team

If you're looking for a great New Year's Eve show without droves of people and chaos, consider the Casbah's lineup with Terraplane Sun, Jackson Price, The Paragraphs, and The Yes Team. Tickets are only $20 and still available. TICKETS

Of course, you know I'll be working at the Lafayette and there are only 25 tickets left, so if you're hoping to celebrate on The Boulevard, get those tickets now.

New Year's Eve At The Lafayette: Full Lineup & Information

Last week the Casbah held a blind sale for New Year's Eve at the Lafayette. A limited amount of tickets were offered for just $15, and I'm sorry that it only got a mention in my listings and not a devoted post, but things have been a little crazy lately. They sold out pretty quick anyway, but I'd suggest if you're considering going, you buy your tickets now. They went up to $25, and now you can get them for $35, but the price is going to keep going up and I can tell you the show is already over 60% sold out. Of course, there's confusion every year. If you just want tickets, you want to buy them through the Casbah here. However, if you want to reserve a room, all packages include 2 tickets, and you should reserve those through The Lafayette. The reservation system will include the promo code which includes 2 tickets/room. Additional guests will have to purchase tickets separately.

Anyway, the lineup is out and it is pretty exciting. Since Darren's Van will be out on the road (accepting reservations now!), I will once again be working the front door of the event to greet all of the beautiful people.

This year, New Year's Eve at the Lafayette features Transfer, Ziggy Shuffledust, Dead Feather Moon, Blackout Party, Low Volts, In Motion Trio, DJ Beto, and The Visual Underground handling all the cool lights and projections and installations and such.

This has sold out in advance every year. Don't wait! Get your tickets now.

Things To Do In San Diego: December 27-30 2012

I spent the day after Christmas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park with Darren and his family. It was raining in the morning, but I'd studied the Doppler radar on Weather.com and was convinced that by the time we got there around 10 or 11, that the rain would mostly be gone and we'd have an enjoyable day at the park, while Darren was convinced the park would be packed wall to wall with people. We were both right in a way, though the crowds came later in the afternoon after we were able to enjoy the wide open spaces of the park and  eventually took a late afternoon tram without a wait. Mostly I was happy to escape the post-Christmas mayhem at malls and stores and just have some fun times meeting his mom and nephews, acting like a kid and splashing puddles with Nova, and eventually taking a night off from shows and bars and enjoying some Pinot Noir in my pajamas as I got around to ignored emails and looking over the next week of listings, courtesy of Jordan, Tennessee, and Jeff. It has been a great relaxing week and though I feel compelled to write some deep and lengthy year end wrap-up, I think I'll save a diary post for another time and I really don't have any lists of good, bad, and ugly, mostly because my life is so saturated with great music that to single out the best, I know I would completely omit far too many worthy of accolades. Maybe I'll get around to something of the sort, but for now I'll just say that this year has blown my mind, from the low-lows I experienced at the start of the year to the incredible and unexpected highs I've experienced through the latter half of the year and just say I am grateful for all of it, for all of you, and I hope that we can all get through the crazy shit life throws our way and end up on the other side. It might not all be rainbows and unicorns all the time, but life can be pretty damn awesome if you let it be so.  Thursday through Sunday archives are after the jump.

New Year's Eve Set Times & More Lafayette Tickets!!

If you were hoping to attend the New Year's Eve party at the Lafayette Hotel and missed out on tickets, there will be 50 tickets released on Saturday morning at 10am. This is the link you'll need to get them.
A few people have asked me for New Year's Eve set times, so I've got a couple for you.

NYE at The Lafayette:
Doors at 8:30pm
By the pool:Creepxotica 9:15-10pm, Hell On Heels 11-11:30pm
Lobby: Low Volts 11:15-11:45
Mississippi Room: Transfer 10:45-11:30, The Silent Comedy 11:50-1:15
Lafayette Room: The Heavy Guilt 10:15-11:15, The Creepy Creeps 11:45-12:45

The Casbah:  Doors at 8:30. The Abigails 9:30, Tomorrow's Tulips 10:30, The Growlers 11:45pm. Tropical Popsicle will perform in the Atari Lounge between sets.
Bar Pink: Mrs Magician at 9, Christmas Isle at 10, Beehive and the Barracudas at 11pm

If you're a promoter or venue with more live music settimes to add, please email me or leave a comment and I will update the site. I'm really not interested in DJ set times. No offense.

Things To Do In San Diego: December 28-29, 2011

Boredom breeds productivity. I have been nothing but lazy this week and then yesterday I went and saw "Being Elmo" and it was kinda inspiring in that Kevin Clash really went after what he wanted. This resulted in me coming home and after twiddling my thumbs and numbing my brain on Facebook, I decided it was time to update my site. It is now 8:30 in the morning and it took me all night, but I finally made a venue page on my site complete with links and addresses and such. I also put a few of my favorite venues and restaurants on the homepage. As I warned yesterday, NYE at the Lafayette is now SOLD OUT, but you can still grab tickets to The Growlers at the Casbah. I also updated the Casbah page with a bunch of band photos and bios and if you didn't grab tickets to the Lafayette, you can see Transfer and The Silent Comedy together at the Casbah on January 15th & 16th. I'm heading off with my family to the Holiday Bowl Big Balloon Parade and probably won't be online for awhile today. Wednesday & Thursday archives after the jump.

Things To Do In San Diego: December 27, 2011

It's Tuesday and that means I'm getting back into a work mindset because there is SO.MUCH.STUFF. coming up in 2012, personally and professionally. I'll save it for another post. In the meantime, I promised that I'd put all the weekend listings up today so you can plan ahead. Here's what I know at this moment- THERE ARE LESS THAN 40 TICKETS LEFT for the NYE party at The Lafayette. I will be working and I have NO GUESTLIST, so if you don't buy your tickets, I can't help you. The bands don't have space either, so just buy the damn ticket, okay? The Growlers show at the Casbah will also likely sell out, so I wouldn't wait if you wanna hit the rock show. I added some links to a few of the events, but you should check out the CityBeat New Year's Eve Guide for a whole bunch more events for dinner, family, or DJ/club options. Urbanist has a guide, too. If I missed a show or event that belongs on my listings, please leave a comment or shoot me a tweet, facebook message, or email. Tuesday archives are after the jump.

New Years Eve at the Lafayette

UPDATE! There are less than 40 tickets as of December 27 at 10 am. Buy tickets now!!

Casbah Presents New Years Eve at the Lafayette Hotel!

We love good music and we love a good party, so The Casbah and Cunning Fox have teamed up to produce a New Years Eve Party at the Lafayette Hotel that people will talk about even after the Mayans destroy the planet in 2012. (Or something like that…)

Featuring:

The Silent Comedy

Transfer

The Creepy Creeps

The Heavy Guilt

Hell On Heels Burlesque

Creepxotica

Low Volts

The Visual Underground



Food by: Tacos El Paisa

The Details:

Individual tickets for the event can be had here.
A special pre-sale rate of $25 is good thru November 16th.
Tickets are now $35 through the day of show. $40 day of show.





Hotel packages which include two tickets start at $169. They can be booked directly here.


For all the fine print, see the event page on The Lafayette's site here. 

Things To Do In San Diego: December 31, 2010-January 2, 2011

You better do it up big tonight because the rest of the weekend has slim pickins'. Weekend listings are after the jump.

Friday, December 31 , 2010:

• Transfer, Rafter, The Shape of Future Frames, Low Volts (Atari Lounge) @ Casbah (SOLD OUT)
• Crocodiles, Heavy Hawaii, Raw Moans, Mrs. Magician @ Soda Bar ($12)
• NYE Extravaganza feat. Wet Bandits, Cuckoo Chaos, Fingers Missing, Chairs Missing, Space Nature @ The Treehouse (3380 C St. between 33rd & 34th. $5 "donation" get you in and all you can drink keg beer. This is a private residence.)
• NYE 2011 feat. DJ Ryan Hand, Lights On, Dudes, D/Wolves, The New Kinetics @ Tin Can (No Cover)
• The Mother Hips, Billy Midnight, Nicki Bluhm and The Gamblers @ Belly Up
• Manchest & Her @ The Ould Sod
• Swami's New Years Heave feat. The Creepy Creeps, The Swami Sound System @ Bar Pink
• Ziggy ShuffleDust and The Spyders from Mars, Geezer (as Weezer/The Beastie Boys) Dubstep & Glitch by Hannibal Selektor & Free Mace @ Ruby Room ($20 Cover, Free Wells from 9-11pm)
• The Zeros, New Mexico, The Dabbers, Gun Runner, Wild Weekend DJs @ Eleven ($13 adv/$15 door)
• DJ Lethal Ethan & Guests @ Whistle Stop ($5 cover)
• Nihilist, Eukaryst, The Bastards, DJs Old Man Andy & Sam Hitz @ The Shakedown (Benefit for Washington St. Skatepark Assoc.)
• NYE Party with Chango Rey and His Broken Heart Beat, Thee Nottinghams, DJs Mikey Ratts, Juliancito, Chango Rey @ Til Two Club (No Cover)
• Samiam, Tiltwheel, The Situation @ Ken Club
• Cash'd Out @ Gallagher's
• White Riot: NYE Rager with DJs Ayla Simone, Havok, Richy the Kid @ U-31
• DJ Beatnik & Guest DJs @ The Office
• NYE 2011 Victory Nightlife Block Party @ House of Blues
• NYE Celebration @ The South Park Abbey
• The Devastators @ Winston's (No Cover)
• Boom Snap, The Chimney Fish @ 710 Beach Club (No Cover)
• NYE Bass Odyssey feat. Whizard, Skandar, Bren-ton, Mateo, Delano, Austin Speed, Wallkrawler, Vagitron, Arkon, Pure Boom Hi-Fi, Argyle @ Kava Lounge
• Dance Party with Saul Q @ Livewire (No Cover)
• South American NYE Party feat. The Bossa @ Prohibition (No presale, $20 at the door)
• Moonshake NYE feat. Mark E Quark, Dr Indulgent, Bob Dazzla, Billa @ Kadan (No Cover)
• Clay Davis @ Donovan's Circle of Fifths
• Candye Kane @ Belly Up (Happy Hour, 5:30 pm)
• Giant, L.E.D., & Lifted Entertainment present NYE 2011 feat. Dirty South, LA Riots, Yusef, Jason "Idol" Videna, Paul Najera, Cris Herrera, Sean Wilson, Tony Lee, Alan B and more @ 4th & B (additional after hours hosted by Fortune party til 4am)
• Sky Ladd Quartet Jazz Dinner Show @ Anthology (Early Show 5:30pm)
• Feelin Alright NYE with Dave Mason @ Anthology (Late Show 9:30 pm)
• Cherries Jubilee (jazz band, cabaret, vaudeville) @ The Marble Room (early show 7pm, late show sold out)
• Designer Drugs, Brazzabelle @ Voyeur
• DJs Smooth, Ramsey, & Adam @ PB Bar & Grill
• Omo Ache feat. Saoco Son, Omo Ache Cuban Dance Co., DJ Vidal Cordova @ Tango Del Rey
• NYE feat. Super Karaoke & DJ Cheyenne Giles @ Analog
• Zenbu Fridays with DJ Leif @ Zenbu Cardiff
• NYE Prom feat. Groundfloor, Adam Salter, Hosted by May*Star @ El Dorado
• Hot Rod Lincoln, The Heroes @ Valley View Casino
• DJ Jim Blair @ Urban Mo's
• NYE 2011 with Twisted Dee & Phil B, Casey Alva & Luis Perez @ Spin
• Sid Vicious & Rico DeLargo @ Fluxx
• No Cover NYE Party feat. Fingers, Billy O, Chris Joslin, Mateo @ Ripassi Rooftop (Porto Vista Hotel, Little Italy)
• NYE MMXI feat. Travis Howe @ Bar West (PB)
• NYE Extravaganza feat. The Royal Polynesian floor show @ Bali Hai
• West Coast Club Life Presents Eyes Wide Shut @ Pacific View South Mesa Club, Camp Pendleton
• Resolve feat. DJ Sach-a-mo @ Arterra ($75 with dinner/$35 Party Only)
• NYE Beach Party 2011 feat. Chris Cutz, Fresh One, Mikey Beats, DJ Who, Paolo da Rosa, DJ Demon, DJ Niques @ The Catamaran Resort
• NYE @ Quality Social (All inclusive food & drink available)
• NYE Live feat. DJs Nick G, Josser & Eddy Santana from Ghetto House Radio, Alex Dreamz, Este, Andy D'arrigo, Chris Loisi, J-Sin @ Ivy at Andaz Hotel
• Epic NYE 2011 feat. Moby, Afrojack, Ferry Corsten, Jason Ross, DJ Homicide, Hyper Crush, Don Santino, Johnny James, Cowboy Mike, Stir Crazy @ Del Mar Fairgrounds
• Big Night San Diego feat. Scooter & Lavelle, Happee, Edgartronic, Mike Czech, Mike G, Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, The Metro Band, Jet West and more @ Hilton Bayfront
• NYE 2011 Anthony Ross, Yan Lehert, Hyena (live), Pleasure Victim & Av One, Gabe Vega, Erick Diaz, Colour Vision, Qenoe and more@ W Hotel
• NYE 2011 feat. Robbie Rivera & Danny Love, Eric D-Lux & Craig Smoove, Chris Garcia & Tony Arzadon, Jon Dadon, Kurch, Al Squared, Erik Till & RI @ Hard Rock Hotel
• Downtown Countdown NYE 2011 feat. N.R.G., DJ Apaulo8, DJ Carlo, DJ Osal8 @ Horton Plaza Event Space
• NYE Yacht Party 2011 feat. The 80'z All Stars Band, dance club deck, smooth tunes open air deck @ Hornblower
• NYE 2011 feat. DJ Angle, DeeJay O, Tara Brooks, Matt Natoli, Conner Shean, DJ BDP and UCSD DVC DJ@ Se San Diego Hotel
• Bottoms Up NYE 2011 feat. DJ Rooster, DJ Ramsey @ San Diego Marriott Gaslamp
• Party Your Pants Off feat. DJ JCee, Dave Booda & Generic @ The Local
• NYE feat. DJ Dik, DJ Rags @ Boudoir

Saturday, January 1, 2011:

• Pato Banton with Now Generation featuring Kelly Love Jones, Cootdog from Mystic Roots Band, I-Levi from Rising Son, April "Harmony" Waller, Professor Einstein and Empress Akua @ Belly Up
• Bobby Pena and The Stowaways, The Heart Beat Trail, The Cetaceans @ Tin Can
• Cozy Corners @ Eleven
• May*Star's Fashion Whore (Black Swan Ballet Theme) feat. DJs Mustache, David Afterlife, Do It Digital @ Ruby Room
• BrokenBeat Night @ Kadan
• Andy Clockwise & guests @ Soda Bar
• The Gregory Page Show @ Lestat's
• John Foltz @ The Marble Room
• Anthology House Band Motown Revue @ Anthology (Early Show 7:30pm)
• Radio Latina Salsa Party @ Anthology (Late Show 9:30 pm)
• Ascension feat. Robin Roth & Tom King @ Kava Lounge
• DJ Mac Luv @ Fluxx
• Salute To Vienna New Year 2011 @ Copley Symphony Hall

Sunday, January 2, 2011:

• Salsa Sunday with Orquesta Primo @ Belly Up
• Todd Day Wait & The Golden Hills Blues Band, solo sets by Residents of 23rd St. @ Soda Bar
• Cactus Jacks & Friends @ Winston's (6-9pm)
• Bohemian Rhapsody Open Mic Rap @ Kadan
• Jose Sinatra's OB-O-ke @ Winston's
• Common Ground (Funk remixes, reggae edits, hip-hop mashups) feat. Danny Massure and friends @ The Office
• Karaoke with Daryl Johnson @ Soda Bar
• Tribe of Kings/Reggae Vibes @ U-31
• SoloVox @ Kava Lounge

NYE 2011: Ticket Giveaway for Casbah & Eleven

I was up until 7am attempting to compile the most comprehensive NYE guide that I could. My listings are all here, but being a live music oriented site, I wanted to highlight two huge shows going down.


The first is taking place at the Casbah featuring Transfer, Rafter, The Shape of Future Frames, and Low Volts in the Atari Lounge. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door (if it doesn't sell out beforehand) and can be purchased HERE.

The other biggie is taking place at Eleven. The show features The Zeros, New Mexico, The Dabbers, Gun Runner and the Wild Weekend DJs. This show is $13 in advance or $15 at the door and can be purchased HERE.

There are plenty of other live music events that night, including a free show at Tin Can with DJ Ryan Hand, Lights On, Dudes, D/Wolves, The New Kinetics, so don't write off your usual music hotspots for your New Years Eve festivities.

The Casbah and Eleven have both generously given me a pair of guest list spots each to giveaway. Send me an email at sddialedin at gmail with the venue of your choice in the subject. Include your first and last name and a phone number. I will pick a winner for each show tomorrow evening and notify you via email. Must be 21 to enter. Tickets will be at will call and are non-transferable.

Update: Congrats to Mark A and Kevin K for winning the tickets.

Things To Do In San Diego: December 29, 2010

I'm really sorry I screwed up my listings last night. I've included as many NYE events as I could find in my normal sources, but if I missed anything, feel free to leave a comment and I'll update. Additionally, several venues that usually host music are taking he week off (Casbah will be closed from Saturday to Tuesday, for example), so if they're not listed, they either don't have shows or are closed...I can't always hold your hand. Venues have always been slow about posting calendars between months, so it's even worse at the end of the year. Again, if there are more shows updated this weekend, I'll add them as I find them. The final thing is that I have ad inventory available in the new year and this website is dependent on sponsorships. Hit me up if you're interested in sponsoring with banners, sidebar ads, donations, or sponsored listings.

Wednesday December 29, 2010:

• The Growlers, Little Deadman, Writer, Jamuel Saxon (DJ set) @ Casbah
• In The Red, Terremoto, Bastard @ Soda Bar
• Red Hot Wednesday w/DJs Duse & Grimm of The Husky Boy All-Stars @ Bar Pink
• Yard Dogs Road Show, Mutaytor @ Belly Up
• Jesse LaMonaca @ Hennessey's (PB)
• Mighty Mo Rodgers @ Anthology
• Rock 105.3 and 101 KGB Present: Steel Panther, So Long Davey @ House of Blues
• Logan Greene & The Bricks @ Park Gallery
• Add The Color, Shining Through @ The Office
• The 90 Proof Pissers @ Riviera Supper Club
• The In Motion Trio + 2 @ Lestat's
• MC JRE and The E Team, Midnight Jogger, DJ Gonzo @ Tin Can
• Joy, Wendy Bailey, Hypnotic Odyssey @ Ruby Room
• Deeper Than The Ocean, Jacqueline Grace @ Stage Saloon
• Safety Orange @ Hennessey's Gaslamp
• Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ Gallagher's
• Christy Bruneau @ Portugalia
• The Soul Persuaders @ Humphreys Backstage Live
• Club Kingston w/ Quino of Big Mountain, DJ Carlos Culture @ Winston's
• Len Rainey's Midnight Players @ Patrick's ll
• Acoustic Fooks @ Dublin Square
• Battle of The Bands @ Coyote Bar & Grill
• Gilbert Castellanos w/ The New Latin Jazz Quintet, Rob Thorsen @ Super El Camino
• Airport 81 Reunion w/ Malaysian Bat Boy DJs @ Whistle Stop
• Wednesday Night Shakedown @ Henry's Pub
• Frankie-Dee & Funk-Natra @ The Kraken
• Buzz Campbell & Hot Rod Lincoln @ Valley View Casino
• Knight Vision @ Club Kadan
• Fuzzy @ Croce's
• Firehouse Swing Night @ Queen Bee's
• Noize, D-Ba2gs, No Face, Kadamac, Border City, Pedelay The Boss, Mac Dope @ Dreamstreet
• Metal Fury @ Second Wind Santee
• Karaoke @ Chico Club
• Steve Portillo & The Banditos @ Cafe LaMaze
• Kwanzaa Celebration: Ujamaa @ Worldbeat Center
• Tim Wray @ Cheers (Ramona)

Things To Do In San Diego: December 31, 2009

NYE 2010 show archives after the jump.
Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve. I'm sorry I wasn't able to snag another pair of Masquerade tickets for giveaway, but thanks to everyone who entered the contests...I hope you attend whether you won tickets or not. I'll be down at the Casbah helping out Sweet & Tender Hooligans with their merch (and sucking up to Adam Gimbel for a ride home after the show). I'll add more weekend events as they pop up so check for updates daily. Weekend listings as they stand now are after the jump if you 'keep on reading'.

Thursday, December 31, 2009 (New Years Eve):

• Masquerade feat. Delta Spirit, Get Back Loretta, The Burning of Rome, The Hot Moon, live art, fashion and more @ Birch North Park Theatre
• New Year's Eve with Sweet and Tender Hooligans, Blasphemous Rumourzzz + more @ Casbah ($22)
• MayStar's NYE Party feat Punk Bunny, Bostich of Nortec Collective, Miss Lady D @ Beauty Bar
• NYE Party with DJ Ratstar @ Starlite ($15)
• Ratt's Revenge NYE feat. The Creepy Creeps @ Tower Bar
• New Year's Eve Happy Hour with Atomic Groove @ Belly Up (5:30pm)
• Swami's New Year's Heave feat. The Night Marchers, Dan Sartain @ Bar Pink
• No Bunny, The Atoms, The Kabbs, Jungle Fever @ Ken Club
• NYE BBQ/dance/karaoke/jamming Party @ Black Box
• Belly Up New Year's Eve Bash with The B-Side Players hosted by DJ Solrak, D210 and DJ Bob Green @ Belly Up ($29 adv/$31 day of)
• Big Night San Diego feat. Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, The Discopimps, Craig Stephenson Jazz Trio, DJs, and more @ Hilton San Diego Bayfront
• Sir Splendid, Hall and the Howes, DJ Marcus B @ Tin Can Ale House ($5)
• Rob Deez, Nick Z., Lavelle @ Java Joe's at Cafe Libertalia
• Agua Dulce @ Eastlake Tavern & Bowl
• DJ Ground Floor and Huge Euge @ El Dorado ($10)
• The Ladies Stardust present Four Minutes To Midnight, Rare Form, The Bully Blinders, Open Svedka vodka 9-11pm @ Ruby Room ($20)
• Boom Snap, Chimney Fish, Liz & Angel from Tough Love 2 @ 710 Beach Club
• NYE Blowout feat Fam Royale DJs DJs Hippo, J.Blow, Myson King, Steven Flex & Guests @ Wit's End (No cover or $10 for 3 beers)
• NYE Party featuring DJ Jr. The Disco Punk, Atari, & Disc-o @ U-31 ($10)
• Fire Corner (reggae from the ghetto) @ Kadan
• Dave Patrone @ Rama
• NYE Extravaganza feat. Buddy Akai & The Office Twins @ Super El Camino
• NYE Party with The Binge, Save Amos, Melvoy, Mouthrop, Rome! @ Radio Room
• NYE Party feat Fat Man's Misery, Roxy Monoxide, Bedpost Buzzards @ O'Connell's (No Cover)
• Victory Nightlife Presents NYE 2010 @ House of Blues
• NYE Party w/ Electric Waste Band @ Winston's (No Cover)
• New Year's Eve Soul & Oldies with Mario Orduno & Friends @ Whistle Stop
• NYE Contradance feat Crowfoot, Caller Lynn Ackerson @ Trinity United Methodist Church (3030 Thorn St, 7:30pm-12:15am, $25)
• Gyst, Bad Craziness, Jessie Taylor & The Riffs @ Dreamstreet
• The Detroit Underground @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
• NYE Afterhours Electro Odyssey @ 4th & B (8pm-8am, $50)
• In The Midnight Hour: New Year's Motown Eve @ Anthology (2st seating 5-9pm, 2nd seating 9:30)
• AfterDarc NYE @ Hard Rock
• NYE feat Wolfgang Gartner, Dave Aude, Deth Hertz, Rifat Ziadeh, Anthony Ross @ Voyeur
• Boogie Nights Presents Electrolightz, Elektrakiss, DJ Digital Opinion, DJ Divel, DJ Tommy Coxx, DJ Frankie Lektro, DJ Ideal @ Spin
• T Fox & the Fox City Band @ Humphrey's Restaurant
• Evolve NYE Festival featuring Rabbit In The Moon, The Mutaytor, Spinderella, DJ Jam, Charlie May, Andy Duguid and many more @ Hilton Torrey Pines ($Varies)
• For more New Year's Events, check out SD CityBeat, NightTimeVip, or DiscoverSD

New Year's Eve Transportation

In my listings this week, I posted about texting for a cab by sending your address and zip code to 777222. I wanted to add more numbers and information about safe rides for New Year's Eve, a.k.a. Amateur Night.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Sycuan have partnered with San Diego MTS to provide FREE bus and trolley service on New Year's Eve. They've even expanded schedules for some of their more popular bus routes, including the 7, 11, 901 and all three trolley lines. You can read all the information, including bus and trolley schedules here. Note, the free service tonight is after 9pm. New Year's Day is friends ride free.

AAA (Automobile Club of Southern California) is offering its free Tipsy Tow service during the New Year’s holiday. According to their site, "The service is available at 6 p.m. Thursday, New Year’s Eve, through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, 2010. Tipsy Tow is available in the 13 Southern California counties served by the Auto Club.

Motorists, bartenders, restaurant managers, party hosts or passengers of a drinking driver may call 1-800-400-4AAA (4222) for a free tow home up to seven miles. Callers simply tell the Auto Club operators, “I need a Tipsy Tow,” to receive the ride home for themselves and their vehicle. A regular Auto Club-contracted roadside service truck will be dispatched." For more information, click here (you might have to enter your zip code.) Note that the tow doesn't take additional passengers. Also, AAA membership is NOT required to use the service.

Last, there are some cab numbers you should program into your phone so they're always there when you need them.

Via text: Send street address and zip code to 777222. The message goes to Yellow Cab dispatch, you receive an instant text confirmation, and a call when the driver is a couple minutes away.

Phone numbers:

Yellow Cab 619.234.6161
Johnny Cab 619.275.5500

Online reservations:

Cloud 9 Shuttle

Let's all make it safely to 2010.

Masquerade: Another Winner and Set Times

Congratulations to Amy C for winning the final pair of Masquerade tickets for New Year's Eve. Details are out about the party and it promises to be a great time.

Set times are out:

* 8pm - Caburlesque Kittens
* 8:45pm - The Hot Moon
* 9:45pm - The Burning of Rome
* 10:50pm - Get Back Loretta
* 11:45pm - New Years count down
* 12:05pm - Delta Spirit
* 1:15am - DJ Theoryjean

For more information, click 'keep on reading' below.


MASQUERADE: NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION is a wonderfully diverse and positive event, unifying music & art lovers with all the high-energy excitement of a New Year's bash.

MASQUERADE will feature six unique and extremely memorable performances including:

* DELTA SPIRIT: Hometown heroes with radio hits "People C'mon" and "Trashcan" who've played America's top festivals Lollapalooza, Noise Pop, and Street Scene.
* GET BACK LORETTA: Three-time San Diego Music Award Best Pop winners
* THE BURNING OF ROME: The most artistic and unpredictable band on the bill, with shades of Arcade Fire and Oingo Boingo
* THE HOT MOON: Billie Holiday-influenced, powerful female vocals, featuring members of Grand Ole Party and Black Heart Procession
* CABURLESQUE KITTENS: 16-woman burlesque troupe that will hook you from the start of the night

Attendees will also enjoy five different deejays including TheoryJean, DJ Dennis J, DJ Kray-Z-K, along with a wild assortment of models, video projection provided by HiFi5 Entertainment, and large art & sculptures.



Doors open at 7 p.m. with live music until 2 am. The Birch Theater, which shares space with the West Coast Tavern, combines the perfect setting for an event never to be forgotten. MASQUERADE will bring in people from all over San Diego and beyond; proving that this is Southern California’s ultimate New Years celebration.

Visuals, Graphics & Videos are provided by HiFi5 Entertainment.

Attendees are recommended to wear their best Masquerade attire (think ancient europe/Romanesque theme, not mardi gras! stay classy San Diego!).

Tickets can be purchased at by clicking the banner at the top of sddialedin.com

Things To Do In San Diego: December 29-30 2009

Click 'keep on reading' for Dec 29-30, 2009 show archives.

I've included some New Year's listings, however I don't list every party in town. If you want the $100ticket & bottle service parties, you're reading the wrong website. If there is anything from my usual venues that I'm missing, please don't hesitate to let me know. (Soda Bar??) Additionally, several venues haven't updated their January calendars as yet, so when Whistle Stop, O'Connell's, Brick By Brick and a few others handle their business, I'll update here. Also note that a few places are closed on Friday (including Casbah and Tin Can Ale House), so double check before you head out this weekend.

Finally, I just want to say that NYE is the biggest amateur night (read: sloppy drunks) of the year. Don't drink and drive. I know public transportation in this city BLOWS and cabs are a complete ripoff, but consider the alternative (a DUI, a weekend in jail, or worse) and $30 or $40 suddenly seems like a bargain. You can make a reservation with cab companies to be in a certain place at a certain time to avoid a super long wait. You can also TEXT for a cab by sending your street address and zip code to 777222. Also consider 24 hour places you can wait safely for a cab...Santanas, Denny's, Lestat's, Rolbertos, Los Panchos...you get the idea. And not to bum you out, but should you find yourself in a legal predicament over the weekend, read up on Catdirt's DUI FAQ Pt. 1, Pt. 2, and Pt 3.

Tuesday December 29, 2009:

• Yellow Ribbon Benefit Concert featuring Molly Jenson, Gregory Page, Get Back Loretta, Sean and Sara Watkins @ Hilton Bayfront 6-10 pm
• Thieves & Liars, Hyena, Schmaltz @ Casbah
• John Mayer Trio, Mayer Hawthorne & The County @ Copley Symphony Hall
• Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven @ Belly Up
• Oh Air Nights, Scales @ Tin Can Ale House
• Sycuan presents Reel Big Fish, Starpool, La Banda Skalavera @ House of Blues
• Nena Anderson @ Riviera Supper Club @ Riviera Supper Club
• 52nd Street @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
• Corey Corrupt, Flat/Wheeler, Carson White, Separate The Sky, Snake Babies @ Radio Room
• Too Cool For Karaoke @ Ruby Room
• Tiki Tuesday feat. Craig Pryor @ Bar Pink
• Anthology House Band @ Anthology
• Burnett's Bliss, Miss Erika Davies @ Soda Bar
• The Stilettos @ Henry's Pub
• The Tail Draggers @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
• Darkwave Garden @ Club Kadan
• Comedy Night with Mal Hall @ Lestat's
• Doug Allen @ The Kraken
• Frequency 54, guests @ O'Connell's
• Karaoke @ Cafe La Maze
• Gilbert Castellanos @ Onyx Room
• Karaoke @ Coyote Bar & Grill
• Friends Chill @ Whistle Stop
• Mr. T's Jamband @ Winston's
• Steve Brewer @ McP's Irish Pub
• Mike Gardner @ Cheers
• Stress Free Tuesday Comedy @ U-31
• Jeff Moore's Witchdoctors @ Patrick's ll
• You!!! @ The Stage Saloon
• Sen Yun Performing Arts @ San Diego Civic Theatre

Wednesday December 30, 2009 (Happy Birthday, Kristian & Josh! xoxo):

• Josh Damigo's Birthday Show @ Lestat's
• The Dabbers (cd release), Lion Cut, Street of Little Girls, Samhears @ Casbah
• The Taxpayers, Unknown Motive, Skamikaze, Eskera @ Queen Bee's
• Anthony Green, Good Old War @ Soma
• Tornado Magnets @ Riviera Supper Club
• Reggae Nights with The Devastators and DJ @ Belly Up
• The Humans @ Soda Bar
• Circus Rock Odyssey @ 4th & B
• Doom Siren, Vietnam HC, Die Sabotage, DJ Barnesey @ Radio Room
• Hocus, Privatized Air, Ghosts in the Graveyard @ Beauty Bar
• Manny Cepeda Orchestra @ Anthology
• Sean & Zander @ Hensley's Flying Elephant Pub & Grill
• Cue vs. Seismic Levelers, Dueling Pianos @ Winston's
• Lloyd Hemmings @ Humphreys Backstage Live
• Knight Vision @ Club Kadan
• Lady Dottie and The Diamonds @ Gallaghers
• Lloyd Hemmings @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
• Wednesday Night Shakedown @ Henry's Pub
• DJ Prestoon @ U-31
• Bozzani Brothers @ Coyote Bar
• Johnny Vernazza @ Patrick's ll
• Knockout Bell, Electric People, Ryan Blue, Louder With The Lights On, DJ Gonzo @ O'Connell's
• Burnett's Blisss @ Cafe La Maze
• DJs Selectakon & Cota Pop @ Tin Can Ale House
• Monkeys In Space, Bewilderness, Counter Launch @ Dreamstreet Live
• Frankie-Dee & The Funk-Natra Band @ The Kraken
• Three Fifths Human, Spiral Pitfall, Fury Never Fades @ Second Wind Navajo
• Jackson & Jesus @ McP's Irish Pub
• Nekter @ The Stage Saloon
• Chris Garcia, Tara Brooks @ Voyeur
• Jennie Buss @ Portugalia
• Gilbert Castellanos @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine & Culinary Center)
• Justin James @ Davina's Cabo Grill
• Jesse Lamonaca @ Hennessey's PB
• Broken Dreams, Brother Nature, Peligro @ Kava Lounge