"San Diego Symphony Announces Bayside Performance Park" Opening in 2020

rendering from San Diego Symphony/Raindrop Marketing

Today the San Diego Symphony announced the Bayside Performance Park is set to open in 2020. I'm not a big fan of 'public-private partnerships' and giveaways of public land to private entities, but I haven't delved deep enough into this deal to really know how the thing came to take shape, how the land was given or sold or leased. As the current Bayside stage on Embarcadero Marina Park South is an eyesore and limits public access, it feels like the public just accepted it for so long that of course this is an improvement, but it still makes me feel icky, which is the general feeling I get whenever Jacobs' name is attached to anything. I hope I'm wrong and the promises made to the public come to fruition. So often we see 'public access' guaranteed and then funding is cut so, for example, public bathrooms end up locked during any meaningful hours when the public would actually need them. Let's just leave as being cautiously optimistic, though the way the Port is so eagerly giving away Embarcadero Marina Park North to future hotel development and the eventual razing of Seaport Village, I'm not sure I trust their stewardship in anything. Decide for yourself.

Full press release after the jump.

Tuesday Newsy Bits: Light's On, The Upstarts, Smashing Pumpkins

I'll be at the Transfer show tonight, but if you're still up in the air, consider the free Beauty Bar show tonight, with the debut of Light's On. According to Andrew Bernhart of Vinyl Radio and Swedish Models, "It's fronted by Tim, the Stereotypes bassist, and also has Mike Kamoo on guitar from the Types and they are doing a great joy division/new order/interpol thing. Great writing and will likely get buzzing soon.

Their first show is tonight at the Beauty Bar at 10PM.... free show."
To me it sounds a little more Echo and the Bunnymen/Simple Minds, but I guess it's all the same era. Anyway, you can check out their MySpace page here and decide for yourself. Regardless, I like it and am eternally a huge fan of Mike Kamoo...wonder if I can make both shows...

Another place I won't be tonight is the House of Blues, but an old friend of mine from my high school days is in The Upstarts, and tonight they're playing their CD Release show. If hip hop is your thing, go enjoy the stylings of the Upstarts (and a whole bunch of DJs). The show is $10 or something, but if you hit up the band on their MySpace page (first and last name), I think they can still get you in gratis.

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Our little San Diego blogosphere is constantly growing. I added the link to the right last week, but wanted to point it out if you hadn't noticed... Cullen from The North Atlantic (and one of the most interesting and intelligent people I can say I know) has started a blog. It's called Dirtbag's Delight and you can read it here.
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All relevant blogs have already posted this, but if you haven't yet seen, Smashing Pumpkins have announced a date at the Embarcadero on September 19. If you buy the album on pre-sale on iTunes, you get a pre-sale password. I thought pre-sales were irrelevant at the Embarcadero, but someone recently brought it to my attention that some of the shows this year have been reserved seating. Frankly, I think that sucks...I loved the Death Cab for Cutie and Manu Chao shows last summer with the freedom to bring a blanket and sit or stand wherever your wanted. Anyway, get on it. If you care. I can already tell you that I don't.

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Ciao for now...Have a safe and happy 4th of July.

Lunchtime Bicycle Expedition: Embarcadero San Diego

It occurred to me today that Norah Jones is playing at Viejas Concerts at Bayside at the Embarcadero. While I don't love her enough to drop cash on a ticket, like most people who will admit it, there are some songs that bring back some good memories and it might be kinda nice to hear the concert. If not for "Snorah", then maybe for the comedy show with Sarah Silverman on June 23, or maybe fans of Hillary Duff will check her out on August 18, or maybe the White Stripes and Cold War Kids on September 18. Or maybe Smashing Pumpkins will add a date there?

A couple years ago, my friend and I sat on the steps of the Convention Center, drinking beer in paper cups and tequila shots while listening to a concert but there has to be something better.

With this line of thinking, I decided to go scout the Embarcadero today, you know, since my yacht isn't an option, wondering if there a better place than those steps to hang out during a show and still be able to hear the music?


View of Convention Center stairs taken from venue

The answer, it appears, is yes. I decided to map out my little journey for you with some pictures.

First, don't get stuck in that cluster of traffic that goes behind the convention center. Instead, walk, ride a bike, or try parking somewhere else and hopping on the trolley to the Convention Center stop and cross the street to the Marriott. You'll see this sign leading you to "Bay Access".



Follow the arrows to this metal art dude. Walking between his legs leads to a path between the Convention Center and The Marriott, so you don't have to hike all the way around either building.





When you come out of the path, you'll see that the pervy metal art dude is checking out the metal art mermaid on the other side...



From here, you end up along the boardwalk and presumably can figure out where the venue is. By the way, this tiny box office handles all sales and will call. If you do go to a show there, I'd recommend already having your tickets in hand because it gets really congested since it's right at the venue entrance.



Detour to the left of the venue entrance and box office and go through the parking lot as if you're going to Joe's Crab Shack (even though you wouldn't because the food is *blech*). Continue around the little peninsula and you'll see that there is a park area. You will have a completely obstructed view of the stage, but if you can handle that, there are options of places you can hang out: the tables, open grass space, or the fishing pier.







From my little expedition, this is the best I could do. Obviously I don't know on show nights if there's security kicking people out of the park, but there didn't appear to be any roadblock to the restaurant and the park. All the fences around the venue are up throughout the concert season, though open when there is no event, so you could tell which fences enclose the venue.

All that said, I might test out my theory on Tuesday, so if anyone wants to join me, I'm thinking I'll pick up the $5.99 10 piece chicken deal from Church's, a flask, and a blanket, and I'll be set.

The rest of my expedition took me past the slip where I lived on my brother's tiny sailboat for a summer after college. The marina is owned by the Marriott and we had access to the Marriott's amenities, but if you're ever feeling a little ambitious, the pool is pretty open and nobody really checks for a room key if you look like you belong there. To get to the pool, look for this sign:

take the little path behind it to the gate and push (don't pull. Really, it's not locked.)

And voila, access to a beautiful pool. (I didn't capture the waterfall or jacuzzi, but they're there)

And last, my little lunchtime bike tour wouldn't be complete without a stop at what I like to call "Ye Ould Village Hat Shoppe" and a little hat modeling by Andrea and yours truly.

Not a bad way to spend a lunch hour if I do say so myself.

Details For Manu Chao Tonight In TJ (Tijuana), NOT San Diego

I'm getting a ton of hits today of people googling info about Manu Chao, so here's what's going on:

Manu Chao has cancelled the show at the Embarcadero on June 5 (tonight!)

The show is now being held at the Plaza de Toros Monumental (The TJ Bullring) TONIGHT!

Original tickets can be refunded at point of purchase, but since the new show and location is a completely separate promoter and venue and COUNTRY, you will have to buy a new ticket for tonight.

Tickets are only $22 and the service charge is $4.50. You can buy them on Ticketmaster here.
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Original Message From Viejas

VIEJAS CONCERTS at BAYSIDE
(EMBARCADERO MARINA PARK SOUTH / DOWNTOWN BEHIND THE CONVENTION CENTER)
THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELED –
MANU CHAO WILL NOW BE PERFORMING IN TIJUANA ON JUNE 5TH.
REFUNDS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE POINT OF PURCHASE.

Tuesday Newsy Bits: Sports Club is back, etc

At the CityBeat Party on Friday, I had the chance to talk to Tony V from The San Diego Sports Club. The 30 day suspension ends this week and the venue will return to being a live music venue. This Friday is Sin Factory/Club de Sade with DJs, but it is expected that four bands will be playing on Saturday, including Four Minutes til Midnight and 300 Pounds. Tony explained that the bar is fighting not only for themselves, but for all venues in town. While the Sports Club is owned outright, most bars and clubs are rented, so the loss of revenue could've shut some of our favorite venues if the ABC, cops, and everyone else involved were able to just bulldoze through SDSC. More important to me on a personal level, was that Tony also acknowledged that he has a reputation for being an asshole and addressed it with me by saying that he took note and has made strides in being a more enjoyable person. As someone who was anti-Sports Club and anti-Tony for a while, I have to vouch for him and say that I think everyone should kiss and make up. Just give the venue another chance. And for bands looking to play, seems like the calendar is wide open, so start calling.
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Viejas concerts has added Chris Cornell on August 4. Tickets go onsale on June 1.
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Vinyl Radio recently did a podcast for pirtatepods.com. Go here for the download and listen to their drunken ramblings.
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As I mentioned last week, Manu Chao has cancelled the show at the Embarcadero on June 5. The show is now being held at the Plaza de Toros Monumental (The TJ Bullring) the same day. Tickets are only $22 and the service charge is $4.50. You can buy them on Ticketmaster here.
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Manu Chao (One of my "not to miss" shows) Canceled!

boo.

Tuesday, June 5th, 2007

VIEJAS CONCERTS at BAYSIDE
(EMBARCADERO MARINA PARK SOUTH / DOWNTOWN BEHIND THE CONVENTION CNETER)
THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELED –
MANU CHAO WILL NOW BE PERFORMING IN TIJUANA ON JUNE 5TH.
REFUNDS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE POINT OF PURCHASE.

This really sucks. At least we have Morrissey on June 3rd to experience at the concerts at Bayside.

Morrissey At Viejas Concerts at Bayside!

Add Morrissey to the artists playing Viejas Concerts at Bayside at the Embarcadero. The show will be June 3, 2007. Kristeen Young will open all shows. No word on pre-sale dates, but when they go on sale BUY THEM FAST because everyone knows the BIGGEST Morrissey fans live south of the border and those tickets will be gone quickly.

Monday Newsy Bits

If you happen to stay home tonight, tune in to FX for the premiere of The Riches, a new series featuring Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver. He has got to be one of the funniest people alive. Check out info here.
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More Insound bargains for you. Enter coupon code 'good_music_rules' for 10% off your order until 4/9/07. Click the Insound link on the right side of this webpage. This would be a good time to buy those Earlove Earplugs that I have been raving about.
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I mentioned last week that CMJ has begun to accept submissions from bands. I am really late in reporting this, but Bumbershoot is also accepting submissions, but the deadline is FRIDAY, March 16. They accept submissions through SonicBids and have special slots reserved for unsigned bands from the West Coast. Click here for all the info.
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Another Coors Amphitheatre concert has been announced. John Mayer and Ben Folds will be appearing on Jun 12. Presale tickets are available through the John Mayer fan club on March 16 with regular a onsale date of March 24. Also, Harry Connick, Jr. will be appearing at Viejas Concerts at Bayside on May 17 with tickets on-sale Friday, March 16 at 10am.
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I've been talking about MayDay since December and I have just a couple comments. One, I heard from a second source that if the show even happens, it will be in June. I have also heard that The Atoms have been courted to play on the bill with no other specific details. My personal feeling is that if there is to be a "MayDay" show, it should stay true to what MayDay was back in 1994: all local. If there are to be headliners, driving ticket prices up, then count me out. If it is true that the venue fees are being waived for the event, it should be a community event as well as a not-for-profit event. That is just my humble little opinion. And since I'm a blogger and therefore think I'm somebody (see comment from Stuart here) I am just giving my two cents so please save the jumping down my throat knee jerk responses for another time and place.
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If you tried to buy Bright Eyes tickets on Saturday, technical difficulties led to the site changing the presale to Sunday. Presale tickets are sold out and stupid me, I failed to get one. Hope you didn't flake like I did...
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Last, I can't stop thinking about comedian Richard Jeni committing suicide. Rumors are flying, suggesting that he had some sort of major illness, but at this time that is not confirmed. Others say he's suffered from depression for many years. I just feel really sad about it and can't stop wondering what could be so bad that would lead someone to shoot himself in the face. Tragic.
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