Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, May 30-Wednesday, June 5, 2024: Blackwater Holylight | Yard Act | The Chameleons | North Park Music Fest | Adopt-A-Pet Day | Rock N Roll Marathon | Sarah McLachlan |

Can we be honest for a minute here? Does ANYONE like Rock N Roll Marathon weekend? I'm just going to assume you're saying "no" and we can move on. Our car was towed a couple years ago because for some reason the idiots who have to distribute warnings, only do it on the exact streets that are used for the marathon, and not on the adjoining streets in neighborhoods like North Park and Normal Heights, where we regularly park around the corner or down a couple blocks because of impacted parking. And while the running routes are easy to understand, there is no clarity on if there are any roads that vehicles can cross or exactly what times they open once runners pass. The bus information is even worse because it is so damn murky. So it looks like if I want to go to the Zoo on Sunday morning, I'm gonna have to walk or bike there. But even that's not clear if I can use the closed off streets for such purposes if I'm not a badged runner. I fucking hate it. But this weekend is also the North Park Music Fest, which I have not had a hand in for several years, since before the Mini-Park and when it was still NPFoA. So much evolution has happened since then, but what really matters is that Transfer is playing, so I'm (fingers crossed) at least gonna catch that, but Tim will be out there shooting the whole thing for San Diego: Dialed In. Beyond all that, and this has nothing to do with music, but the San Diego Humane Society is having a super event on Saturday for free adoptions, licensing, tags and more, so check the link below for details on that. 

I know, I know, we've got it so rough up in these streets of this incredible city. Try not to be too bummed out you live in such a glorious place. 

Stay safe out there.  

Rosey's Diary and Newsy Things: ReWilding Mission Bay | Pellet Shootings In Hillcrest | Free Movies In The Park | Bots Stole COVID Relief Money |

I cannot even begin to talk about what a rollercoaster weekend it was, so I'll just say we enjoyed URBN on Friday and Kristian's wedding on Saturday, I didn't spend nearly as much time at the zoo this weekend as I expected to and it was bonkers when I actually did, and on a whim, Toby, Darren and I drove up to Laguna to hike a few different short trails and loops to get out of town and try to start the week with clear heads. I don't have much in the way of links this week because I tried to not be online as much as possible, but I've got plans this week so I'm trying to get listings done early so I don't have to worry about them later this week. I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend however you chose to spend it and I will be head down, nose to the grindstone, and just trying to move on from some of the nonsense that grated me but isn't worth talking about. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, May 23-Wednesday, May 29, 2024: Fruition | Cloud Nothings | Maggie Rogers | Wine Lips | Natalie Merchant | World Goth Day | girl in red | Guitar Wolf | Jon Foreman |

I am so looking forward to Memorial Day weekend if it just means fewer emails for one extra day. There are so many fun things to do, even if we're gonna be in full-on May Gray mode. I'll be working at the Fruition show on Thursday, and then doing a bar crawl for my friend's pre-wedding celebration on Friday, and then I think there's some sort of party or reception for the wedding that I'll try to get to on Saturday. That means I'm missing out on some prime zoo time, of course, and on Friday night is member preview night for the summer hours and then the zoo will be open from 9am-9pm for the majority of the summer, minus a few special events when they close early. Safari Park hours extend from 9am-7pm as well, and both parks have music and entertainment and such. SeaWorld Summer Spectacular also kicks off this weekend, so whether you care or not, at least know that fireworks will be back on the weekends, so plan accordingly for your pets.  We'll also be going to girl in red next week, so I'm definitely looking forward to that. 

I hope everyone has a super duper weekend. It is Memorial Day, so honor that how you will. For me, it's a year since my sister-in-law's interment, so my thoughts will be with my brother and the rest of my family. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San DIego: Thursday, May 16- Wednesday, May 22, 2024: Wednesday | The Toxhards | RJD2 | Twin Ritual | Pond | Fiesta Del Sol | Baby Bushka | Moorea Masa | Bully | Pete Yorn |

The Quartyard is undergoing some changes, but will be SOLD OUT Thursday night for WEDNESDAY

I'm really looking forward to Thursday night at Quartyard. As I write this, there are about a dozen tickets left, but I suspect they'll be gone by the time this actually publishes. This week there are so many things going on that it feels a little overwhelming. I'd personally recommend seeing RJD2 at Music Box, who always blows minds with his skills but there are definitely a lot of great choices, including Fiesta Del Sol, some great indie shows, and a million ways to spend time outdoors, including the rest of San Diego River Days. Find your fun. 

Stay safe out there. 

Rosey's Diary and Newsy Things: SDMA Winner List | Gloria Submits Revised Budget | Floods Ravage Brazil | New C-19 "FLiRT" Strain Symptoms |

Baby Langur (Taken 5.12.24)

I've been watching the Emily D Baker livestreams of the Karen Read Trial because as we inch closer to November, the news is just hard to watch. My little family has a ritual where every night we watch the monologues or features from the late night shows - Seth Meyers, Colbert, Kimmel, and Fallon - and even those are hard to watch sometimes. The coverage of TFG is just too much and the comedians' impressions of him are just as bad as seeing his stupid face and hearing his actual voice. So I've been watching this trial, or listening to the stream while I work, or while I'm walking around the zoo, and I kind of regret it because the prosecution is so bad so the case has ceased to be interesting. All of this to say, I don't really have much to post this week. With Darren on the job hunt and having more time together, I feel stretched a little thin. We did have a great time at the Waxahatchee show on Tuesday, but after I came home to get my listings going and write a work newsletter, so today I felt pretty sluggish, though I still went to visit the apes and then D and I went to a River Days event to see the future site of The River Center at Grant Park. I still feel like I have a million things to do tonight but first things first, I'm posting this, then finishing listings. They'll be up in the morning. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, May 9-Wednesday, May 15, 2024: Lol Tolhurst x Budgie | David Sedaris | Gator By The Bay | Pacific Avenue | Wonderfront | Psychedelic Furs | Face To Face | Aaron Lee Tasjan | Waxahatchee | and more!!

Waxahatchee (10.13.2018)

It's a big weekend in San Diego: it's Mother's Day, Gator By The Bay is back at Spanish Landing, and Wonderfront is back at the Embarcadero. Unless some last minute surprises happen, however, I'll be sitting out the latter two. The good news, however, if you're not hitting the festivals, is that there are so many great shows in town this week and weekend, so your music needs are covered if you're not inclined to watch music with a line of port-o-potties in the vicinity. And honestly, the weather has been so amazing that really, just doing anything outside, even if May Gray creeps in, is going to be incredible as we're still before any major influx of tourists. If you've read this far, I'm going to tell you this little secret for you to use this weekend and into the entire summer: parking at the San Diego Zoo is free. While it may get busy, it's rarely ever full. And so with that information, you should know that the SDMTS number 7 and the Rapid 215 both service the zoo stop by the carousel and get you downtown in about 10 minutes. There's also a stop for both near Inspiration Point near the World Beat Center. The two buses can get you to any other bus or trolley line which get you to Petco Park or Comic-Con or Wonderfront or Broadway Pier or anywhere for $6 for a daypass in the Pronto app. And even when the zoo is closed, you can park ANYWHERE in Balboa Park except between the hours of 2am-6am. (Vehicle parking is prohibited in Balboa Park parking lots from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily (SDMC 63.02.21) with the exception of Marston Point parking lot. Parking in Marston Point parking lot is not permitted from sunset to 7 a.m. daily and 10 a.m. on Thursday for maintenance.) Keep that our little secret, mkay?

Have a great week. Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, May 2-Wednesday, May 8, 2024: Kiltro | Bendigo Fletcher | No Vacation | Peach Cooler | Manic Hispanic | Blu DeTiger | Mariachi El Bronx | Hoverii | Roger Daltrey | Tyson Motsenbocker | Bob Schneider |

This week was the San Diego Music Awards. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners, from all the photos, it looks like another epic night. You can see all the winners here. 

The rest of the week is looking pretty busy with lots of sold out or near sold out shows around town, plus some Cinco de Mayo festivities for grown-ups or families. I'll be working at the No Vacation show and possible Peach Cooler, but might try to work a few more into my plans. We shall see. 

Have a great week and stay safe out there. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Panda Update | Oceanside Pier Empty Restaurant Catches Fire | Animal Shelters in State of Emergency | Avian Flu Hits Dairy Farms |

Tiger Cub (Hutan or Puteri?) at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (4.30.24)

I don't have much of a diary this week because I'm a little emotionally spent and physically tired. Besides my regular work, I worked at Emo Night Karaoke on Friday, then Julia Wolf on Sunday, and then after that show, Darren and I went to see A Beacon School at Casbah. I got my Monday zoo time, then on Tuesday, after I spent the morning at the zoo, D and I went to Safari Park on his day off to deliver flowers for his old work. It was definitely bittersweet because some stuff was going down at his job and sure enough, he was let go from the park the next morning. He wasn't taken by surprise by it, but it still fucking hurts. So now we have that to deal with and it is scary and heartbreaking and of course our rents just went up again, because San Diego, so I'm trying not to panic but it really fucking sucks. And I can't really talk about it because it's not my story to tell, but you know I have some thoughts.  

So yeah. Life goes on. I'll be working at Music Box on Thursday, maybe Casbah on Friday, and will probably try to partake in some Old Town Cinco de Mayo festivities over the weekend because I'm a sucker for mariachis. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 25-Wednesday, May 1, 2024: Neil Young | Emo Night Karaoke | La Lom | Art Alive | ArtWalk | Encinitas Street Fair | Adams Avenue Unplugged | Book Crawl | San Diego Music Awards | San Fermin | Yellow Days |

I'm not gonna lie, trying to get listings done in a timely fashion so they publish in the morning while also spending long days away from home because everyone else in my household is currently sick really sucks. It also kinda feels like I'm just planning on getting whatever non-Covid thing they have eventually, so I'm trying to stay on top of work and shopping and general adulting. So. Lots of stuff this week and weekend. Lots of San Diego Music Awards showcases leading up to the awards on Tuesday night at Humphrey's. Adams Avenue Unplugged, Artwalk, Book Crawl, Encinitas Street Fair...there's a lot!! I'll be working at the Casbah on Friday for the Emo Night Karaoke and can't wait to see what everyone sings and also be working at the Julia Wolf show on Sunday at Quartyard. Beyond that, I'm just gonna see which way the wind blows, drink a shit-ton of fluids and immune boosters, be outside as much as possible, keep the air purifiers running, and do my best not to get sick with this plague that some are calling "The 100 Day Cough". Also, Tim Fears did a photo post. Check it out. 

Stay safe out there.  

Photos: The Schizophonics, Mistress 77 and Dream Burglar at Casbah

 

Photos by Tim Fears

This show was super fun and what I'd consider a classic Casbah show where you have friends in each of the bands and they all are all killing it doing what they do best.

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Gentrification: Protecting LGBTQ+ Nightlife | Soaring Rents | Public Park Bans Bikes | City Fails FIDO Dogs | Bird Flu | Pathogen Descriptors Rewritten |

Ficus at Fiesta Island Dog Park, before the foxtails seeded. (Taken 2.18.24)

At some point I have to stop collecting links and actually make a post. I've been trying, but work has been crazy busy...the Casbah is presenting more shows at outside venues than ever before, or at least to pre-pandemic levels and the agencies are fully staffed up with 6-12 person marketing teams to remind me -- one person -- that I'm not meeting their expectations. I love taking my laptop to the zoo to get work done, but I find more of my day actually on the laptop than actually experiencing the zoo. As a result, when I get home at night I've been trying to keep that my time, which this week means bingeing Girls 5eva. 

I went to LA last Sunday for the opening of my cousin's new business and ended up making an overnight out of it, with a super rainy Sunday at the LA Zoo and then a much nicer rain-free Monday. I helped out with merch for The Last Dinner Party on Friday afternoon and then we went to the show that night. Darren spent his days off being sick at home, so I've been trying to give him all the space at home he needs to nap and recover, but then after the kid's concert at school, he said he was also feeling sick and likely won't be going to school tomorrow. They're both negative on COVID tests, but I'm still gonna try to do all the things we did back then, because I do not want to also get whatever sinus-throat tickle-congestion thing it is. I'll get to listings this week, and I don't have any major plans besides working at our Quartyard show on Sunday but I'll definitely keep myself scarce at home if I can. 

Ohhhh! And one more thing! Remember when this was just a music site?? Tim Fears is gonna get back to posting photos here. I'll add mine when they're worthwhile than more than an IG post, but be on the lookout for his stellar shots. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 18-Wednesday, April 24, 2024: Sessanta | Faye Webster | Herbie Hancock | The Last Dinner Party | Earth Day | Record Store Day | TWRP | Brittany Howard | Willie Nelson | Mk.gee | Neil Young |

There is so much happening this weekend, and next week is even more nutso, but I have to say, I was looking for Record Store Day stuff and I wasn't finding shit. Sure, I found the list of stuff available across all record stores, but it feels like maybe the store traffic is so intense that all the in-stores and live music that used to be associated with it are gone. Or I couldn't find them. Or I looked in the wrong places. Whatever the case may be, head to Vinyl Junkies and then hit happy hour at Whistle Stop and you can get down with the vibe. (Update: I've added the live music and djs for VJRS which I found after I posted) 

It's also Earth Day weekend, which might snarl my zoo plans, but we'll see. The bus gets me to both, so maybe I'll just have to pack light and partake in both. 

As always, if I missed anything, feel free to hit me up on IG or FB or whatever. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 11-Wednesday, April 17, 2024: Sheer Mag | Trevor Noah | Bad Religion & Social D | The Hangmen | Lang Lang | Billy Joel & Sting | Schizophonics |

For a while I had been hearing that The Merrow had been sold, but this week is the first time I've noticed that a link to the old website now goes to the new name, EQ. I'll get around to updating my music venues page, but just know that EQ is FKA The Merrow. 

I started listings on Tuesday and finally went to bed around 4, then worked from the zoo all day Wednesday, then worked at the Chastity Belt show, then had to finish the listings, so I'm pretty wiped. I'm certain I'm missing a lot from these listings, so feel free to shoot me a DM on socials to tell me what's up and I'll update when I can. This weekend is the open ranch at the alpaca ranch that I love, I'm not including it in the listings but you can find it on Facebook if you search Hazpaca. I'll be going to the Bad Religion show with my mom, sister, and nieces on Friday, and have some busy weekend plans, but I'll try and manage my time and get all the things updated. 

Stay safe out there. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: COVID Misinfo Persists (Shocker!) | Avian Flu Hits Dairy Farms | Gallagher Square Reno | OB Pier Plan Unveiled | Voters Sick of Stadiums? | Fun History of Avocados in US |

Dad and kids, circa 1989

April 9th marked one year since my dad died. As I've shared before, he was very sick for a very long time, so it certainly wasn't unexpected, but in retrospect, it was definitely his style to go out on Easter 2023. I miss him dearly and I wish I had better organized old photos and videos because I miss his voice the most, even though I carry him with me. We went to a mass on Sunday...I guess called a "mass intention" for my dad and my sister-in-law, which was pretty much a normal mass with an extra shout out from the priest, but it meant a lot to my mom, so off course we went and had a nice family dinner afterward. 

I woke up pretty early today and got some house and yard stuff done with Darren. We found a baby opossum and hoped that putting her back under the house would reunite her with her mama, but Darren saw her again later on by herself, so I'm just hoping that she is old enough to survive separation. Last year, I was with Denny when I got the call that my dad had died, and he was extra cute on Monday when I had some rare late afternoon alone time with him before my friends showed up and he got silly and playful for everyone. Today was a different story, but I'll get to that in the zoo goss. I came home to find everyone already asleep, so I cleaned some more, made a fat dinner, and have been keeping an eye out for my little opossums, but nothing yet. I have to start listings since I'll be working tomorrow night at Quartyard, but hopefully can still work a schedule off some normal sleep. 

Stay safe out there. I love you.   

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 4-Wednesday, April 10, 2024: bar italia | Hurray For The Riff Raff | Jesse Daniel | Good Kid | The Cactus Blossoms | STRFKR | Old 97's | John Cleese | Slow Hollows | Chastity Belt |

Sold Out Gregory Alan Isakov at The Sound (Taken 3.7.24)

You can tell by the way the listings are starting to get longer and longer that we're staring down Coachella, with it's first weekend next week. There are so many great shows and not all are conveniently booked on weekends, so you might have to rearrange some things to say, get to the Chastity Belt with it's early door time on a Wednesday, or even double up on shows or nights going out to get it all in. As for me, I worked for Nicotine Dolls on Friday and Adi Oasis on Tuesday, and I'll be working for Good Kid, The Cactus Blossoms, and Chastity Belt this week. And next weekend my mom, sister and nieces are going to the Bad Religion show, so I guess I need to procure a ticket to hang out with them for that. 

It's a busy week and the Casbah has about a dozen announcements this week alone, so stay tuned and make sure you get the newsletter so you're on top of it. 

Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 28- Wednesday, April 3, 2024: Mike Doughty | Marnie Stern | Mary Timony | Skating Polly | Victoria Canal | Andy Frasco & The UN | The Vices | Melissa Etheridge | Torres | Adi Oasis | Madi Diaz |

Listings are done. I don't have a lot to say except there are some great shows this week. With Easter and family and all the things, I don't know how much I'll be out, but I will be working the Adi Oasis show on Tuesday at Quartyard, so say hi if you're coming by. Full listings this week are after the jump. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Operation Palm Lift | Animal News | A Vision For A Safer America | San Diego - Diverse & Happy |

Silverback Winston at San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Taken 3.13.24)

I really lagged getting listings done this week as I've had zero desire to work at all. I mean, I have, and I dragged my laptop to the zoo all week while tourists gawked over my shoulder because the orangutans love to watch familiar people do stuff, like type on a laptop or dig through a backpack or eat lunch, but it has been hard to focus. First, I found out that my friend, Mike D from Amenity died over the weekend. That was two days before the first anniversary of my sister-in-law's death and so this time last year, I was driving my sister's car with my nieces to New Mexico to be with my brother and his kids. By the time we got back, we had a big anniversary party for my parents and then my dad died just a few days later, on Easter Sunday. So this time of year brings up a lot from last year. I'm just trying to find beautiful things and enjoy life to the max because what else can we do? But sitting on my laptop is not my favorite at the moment, so these are some articles I've picked up over the past couple of weeks, but I'm just gonna leave it here so I can get sleep and keep myself busy doing things in the world and not just on this screen.

I love you. Stay safe out there.  

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 21-Wednesday, March 27, 2024: Federico Aubele | The Spits | Los Straitjackets | Jack Tempchin | Thumpasaurus | The Budos Band | Lyle Lovett | Swami | Devotchka | Bruce Springsteen |

While I was working on these listings, I was on the Pechanga Arena website and wanted to see if Bruce Springsteen was sold out. You get this warning that "GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS HAVE A TWO TICKET LIMIT AND ARE NON-TRANSFERRABLE AND NON-RESALEABLE", yet you continue to the site and there are dozens of tickets for resale, some as much as $2400 each. After re-reading, I realized there is a specific "GA" section in front of the stage, but it didn't stop people from listing resale tickets there "starting at $700". It is fucking outrageous. I'm not trying to go to the show. But have you been to a concert at Pechanga? I had nosebleeds once for Shakira, and by the time the sound hit us in the third echo, she was already singing and dancing to a different song. It's great for an average rock show, or a comedy show or whatever, but ticket prices right now are outrageous. The double-dipping of the corporations that sell the tickets in the first place, to then profit again on the resale is despicable. The monopolies they have on the markets and the influence they have to try to ruin any competition is disgusting. I don't know how we go back in time, but I sure do miss standing in line at May Company customer service, where at least I knew I had a shot at getting affordable tickets to concerts coming to town. Support your small venues because the big guys are certainly doing everything they can to starve them out. Don't bother with Bruce. Head to the Casbah for Swami instead. Bruce, you're welcome to pop by after your early show ends. We'll still be rockin'. 

Stay safe out there. 

Rosey's Diary, Newsy Things & Zoo Goss | 4 Year Pandemic Anniversary | Lots of Americans with Long-COVID | Adobe Falls Restoration | SDG&E Rip-Off Rate Hikes | Loser Navarro Reports To Prison |

 

Funani and Amahle baring their teefs in the new/old pool (3.19.24)

I know I've been really inconsistent with diary posts, but Darren quit his second job with the florist, so last week was his first time with days off in ages. We took advantage by driving out to the desert on Monday, and then I went up to Safari Park with him on Wednesday, all the while trying to keep up with work and the homestead and fighting off a sinusy thing I guess I got from driving to the desert during wildflower season. Not gonna lie, I've also been kinda staying overly busy and doing all the things because this time last year was not good. Today is my brother's birthday, and it was around this time we found out my sister-in-law wasn't doing well, only for her to die about a week later, then this whirlwind of visitors and travel and my parents' anniversary and then my dad died on Easter. Naturally we're all kind of on edge with such monumental anniversaries just around the corner, so I try to keep on keeping on and will try to process all the feels in healthy and productive ways...being at the zoo is one of those ways, so I'm gonna keep on doing it. 
Now, onto listings so I can get to bed at a reasonable hour. 

I love you. Stay safe out there. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 14-Wednesday, March 20, 2024: Emo Nite | Karl Denson | Wild Party | Grace Potter | Shane Hall | William Fitzsimmons | Cold War Kids | The Lone Bellow |

I haven't put together a diary/links post this week because I've been out doing life. Darren gave up his second job so he can finally have some days off, and we took advantage on Monday by driving out to Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel for lunch, then doing a hike in Anza-Borrego along The Impossible Railroad. It was quite an adventure and probably one we wouldn't do again because the primitive road was kinda sketchy for our non-4x4 vehicle, but it was fun nonetheless, and the weather out there was perfect - sunny, but not crazy hot, some wind gusts but nothing a windbreaker didn't protect from. My week continued with all day at the zoo on Tuesday, where I learned my wi-fi was strong enough to do a Google Meet conference call. On Wednesday, I decided to go to work with Darren since he only had a five hour shift, and it ended up being pure magic. I spent a couple hours with the tigers before getting an impromptu behind-the-scenes peek where I got to meet some ambassador animals, including petting an echidna and watching a special session with Estrella, the sloth, and I even got to feed it. I didn't even end up doing the tram and after we had a white-Mexican dinner at On The Border. Not gonna lie, that endless enchilada deal was pretty good. 

This week continues to be great as all my usual work emails have slowed while every PR person is in Austin for SXSW and as we approach St. Patrick's Day and spring break. Seaworld (varies), San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park (9am-7pm March 16-April 7) will all have extended hours, so check their schedules if you plan on giving it a go. My favorite Alpaca Ranch has another open house on Sunday, so I'll probably head out there, too. 

As for music, there are a ton of great shows coming up. Humphrey's announced their full summer lineup and tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10am for ones that hadn't already previously been announced. Casbah has two nights with The Lone Bellow which is kind of a big deal considering the sized venues they usually play. Plus, if you love St. Patty's Day, there are events all over the county to get into some shenanigans, even though this year's OB event is canceled.

Have a great week. Stay safe out there. I love you.