Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, May 15-Wednesday, May 21, 2025: Willie Nelson | NIIS | Chris Isaak | Ryan Adams | Wonderfront Festival | Forced Down | Your Neighbors | Kate Hudson | Brijean |

Inaugural Wonderfront 2019

Last week was pretty terrible planning when it came to doing listings, so this week I decided to get them done on Tuesday because I have a lot coming at me this week and I don't wanna be forcing myself to stay up late when I'm kinda all over the place. Now that it's Wednesday, I couldn't be happier that I took the time to get it done because I had mom duties today and I am wiped the fuck out. When I was looking for my old Wonderfront photos, I was kinda surprised that the first one was in 2019. I don't think I've been since that first year. I look at the lineup and there is literally one artist that I've heard of on Friday, and if I'm being for real, they're not my jam. But I'll say what I've said to friends who whine about festival lineups - I'm not the demo. While I'd be into the lineups on Saturday and Sunday, I've got a lot going on these days and am not gonna make those either. I'm pretty specific about events nowadays...if there are port-a-potties, it's probably gonna be a no from me. If I'm gonna have to engage with swarms of people and I can't just bury myself with my headphones, that's also probably gonna lean me to no. All that said, I hope it's successful, I hope everyone who goes has a great time, and I hope it continues to grow as a desirable festival for agents to book their artists since tons of festivals are failing or declining across the country, without getting stupid bougie that the average person gets priced out. 

On to the listings. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, May 8-Wednesday, May 14, 2025: Perfume Genius | The Brudi Brothers | Toro y Moi | Gator By The Bay | The Paladins | Mothers Day | High Vis | OK Go|

I really thought I got ahead of my game by starting listings on Monday, but now I'm in crunch and I know there are a bunch of weekend and Mother's Day Weekend events I should add, but I'm at the edge of delirium, so I can't do more than what we have here. I guess I should note that in the past, we always took my mom to Gator By The Bay, but it feels like the event has blown up beyond the parts that we really loved about it, as all things do. It seems there can't just be a thing that is a cool thing without it turning into a huge thing and not being that original thing anymore. We have seen this with every local festival, we've seen it with housing, we've seen it with places like Seaport Village or UTC or what they're gonna do to Balboa Park---commercialize the fuck out of it so no locals ever wanna go there again. Good job, SD. I love this place, but goddamn the way we try turn places and spaces that we all pay for into monetized commercialized units is just really gross. 

Stand up. Shut it down. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. Stay safe out there. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: San Diego County Fair & Humane Society Partnership | Zoo Strike Imminent? | Grand Jury Hates SD Parking Policies | A Police State |

I'm going to keep this week's diary and newsy stuff post short this week because today's the big day for the kid. Our check-in is at 5:30 in the morning, so I'm just staying up all night and gonna try to get listings done as early as possible; then maybe I can actually get some zoo time this week as Darren and I kinda do our recovery care in shifts. I don't really know what to expect though, so we'll just play it by ear and hope for the very best and the fastest recovery possible. 

If you're out in the world and paying attention, tariffs that were postponed by a month might kick in this week, so no joke, stock up on your toilet paper, because they're running out of the Kirkland stuff at Costco (check the app if you don't believe me) because it's Canadian supplied. Even if they don't kick in, the psycho in chief is definitely pissed at Canada and will burn all relations to the ground because he is a small, bitter, spiteful piece of shit. Shop for your imported goods accordingly. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, May 1-Wednesday, May 7, 2025: Cayucas | Federico Aubele | Cinco De Mayo | The Jesus Lizard | Scott Russo | Tim Pyles Birthday! | Lyle Lovett |

Man, I have been Momming so hard over here. The school year is wrapping up, so along with Toby's many extra-curriculars all having events, plus his 18th birthday this week, he's getting a procedure soon, so my days have been interspersed with speech contests (he won!) and graduations as well as doctor check-ins and last minute prepping, which means I'm almost completely back to Pandemic-era Rosey, where I'm a hoarder/prepper/over-shopper. It's probably not healthy, but maybe in two months I'll look back and laugh. For now, I'm run a little ragged. I share all this because it's the beginning of May and quite a few venues don't have calendars listed online yet, and I will not be chasing them around to get their info. You snooze, you lose. Additionally, I don't know if by next week I'll have absolutely no time or way too much time, so though I don't think I've missed listings in years, I will do my best to get them up, but they may be abbreviated with just some music and not chasing down all the theatre and side events. I'll do what I can do, but I'm not gonna fret if I can't do it all. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Rosey's Diary & News Things: Toby Wins Rotary Speech Contest! | Know Your Rights | City of SD Proposed Cuts Cut Deep | San Diego Zoo Intros Male Orangutan | 100 Days of The Worst President Ever |

  

Labu is feeling more than comfortable in his new San Diego home. (taken 4.30.25)

I really just can't with everything right now. TFG is so off his fucking rocker and the news comes so fast, but at least some people with spines are stepping up, and enough courts and judges and NGOs and NPOs and states and citizens are doing what they can to sue or block insane measures that everyone who warned against Project 2025 said would happen, but people thought so extreme, nobody believed they could or would. We are living in a very tumultuous and fractured era. 

At the same time, I've been a step-mom since Darren's bio-kid was in kindergarten, full time since his mom moved out of state when he was in 3rd grade, and now he's officially 18, as of midnight today. I've been going to a ton of graduation adjacent events. He has been accepted to several universities, but is committing to UCSD. He has worked so hard and earned an unbelievable scholarship and opportunity and we are so proud and grateful. There was a graduation ceremony from Cardinals Interact, this incredible all-inclusive tutoring/mentorship/service program he's been a part of through high school. On Wednesday, he also took first place in the Rotary Club's "4-Way Speech" contest for the region, and it was sweet to be there and have my mom there with us for the win. But honestly, keeping a trans kid seeing a future-- any future-- has been the biggest struggle and greatest reward, though every day we still vacillate between the two. So thanks for all the love we've received over the past many years, the patience, the devotion, and the support. I hope to keep this little site going for as long as I'm able, but there might be some blips and bloops in between. We've got some medical stuff coming up, but it's all good news, so if you don't hear from me for a minute, I promise I'll be back. And, this is super awkward, but since some friends have asked, if you'd like to send a gift during this transitional period, you can do so here. #SupportTransKids 

I love you all. Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 24-Wednesday, April 30, 2025: Owl Be Damned | The Pharcyde | Kevin Atwater | Artwalk | Adams Avenue Unplugged | SD Book Crawl | Black Heart Procession | Papooz | SD Music Awards |

We've officially hit that one crazy weekend in San Diego where it feels like all the good things happen at once: Art Walk, Adams Avenue Unplugged, San Diego Book Crawl, and Art Alive among many other great things happening, like I Love A Clean San Diego's Creek To Bay Cleanup. I've been a bit of a recluse lately if I'm being honest, we have so much stuff coming up that I'm trying to take it easy when running around isn't required of me, but I will be working for The Pharcyde on Thursday, Stan Walker on Friday, and The Bloody Beetroots on Sunday. We're also trying to sneak in a night of camping on Saturday, but only if I'm not too run down by the time it comes around. I still have yet to meet the new orangutan at the zoo, so that is definitely on my agenda, too. In the meantime, the retrial of Karen Read has started, so I'm spending most of my time with headphones on to listen in on the trial and the recaps. So fascinating. 

Anyway, lots of really good stuff this week. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: SDCCU & CCCU Intend To Merge | Gloria's Budget Pisses Everyone Off - Except Cops | State Of The County | New Orangutan At SD Zoo Makes Debut | SCOTUS Standoff with TFG | Pope Francis Dies |

Marcella The Sun Bear at San Diego Zoo (4.17.25)

This post will just go on forever if I don't wrap it up and start a new one, and there was certainly a lot of news this past week. I won't bother with a recap, because it's Easter Sunday and I had a nice day and I'm just trying to get it off my brain so I can get a more peaceful sleep, but shit is bonkers and I just can't with it all. So, head in the sand, and hopefully I'll be spending my Monday stalking a new red-headed boy called Pumpkin. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. (Also, no Handmaid spoilers. I haven't started the new season yet.)

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 17-Wednesday, April 23, 2025: Clikitat Ikatowi | Jeff Bridges | Emo Nite | EarthFest | Black Mountain | Em Beihold | Naked Giants |

Wow. Things have been absolutely bananas around here. I usually like to have a diary post between listings posts, but the news is just insane right now, so maybe I'll finish it up when I'm working for Clikitat Ikatowi at the Casbah on Thursday. Toby's senior year is drawing to a close, so there have been a ton of things we have to show up for, plus tax day and family stuff and I swear I still have this lingering cold that goes away for a bit and then seems to come right back, so whatever. I've been listening to a ton of podcasts, audio books, and courtcasting on YouTube, doing my zoo thing, and just trying not to wear myself ragged when every day the news just gets worse and worse and seemingly unchecked. I haven't started the new season of The Handmaid's Tale because it's a little too raw at the moment, but I look forward to catching up with all of the things at some point. For now, that means sleep. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 10-Wednesday, April 16, 2025: Youth Lagoon | Twin Ritual | Swami | Ducks Ltd. | Laura Jane Grace | SDMA Showcase | Joshua Ray Walker | Vision Video | BBES | DJO

I was really looking forward to seeing Stereophonics again for the first time in over a decade, but unfortunately the show was postponed to September 27 due to illness of one of the band members. It all worked out because I had some personal stuff I needed to handle and it was the anniversary of losing my Dad, though Blonde Redhead or Hinds both would've been pretty fun shows. There are plenty of rad shows coming this week to fill the gap of losing that one. 

I hope everyone has a great week and enjoys the turn in weather and that the allergies don't kick your ass too bad. Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Fiesta Island Dog Park Gets Mowed | TFG Ruins Everything | County Board Primary | Egg Price Gouging | Chula Vista Opens New Park | Zoo Petition For Living Wages |

 

Hamadryas Baboon Lisa Marie and her day-old baby (Taken 4.4.25)

What a weird-ass week, no? If anyone doesn't think that there was some crazy intentional stock-tanking and insider trading happening over the weekend after TFG tanked the whole global economy and then came back on Wednesday saying 'just kidding', then I don't know what to tell you. This motherfucker is the worst of the worst. And I never thought I'd have anything to agree with fElon about, but Peter Never-Won-A-Single-Race-In-San-Diego Navarro is, indeed, a fucking idiot. I didn't make it out to the march but there was a beautiful showing here in San Diego in multiple locations. 

For me, I went to a mass in honor of my dad and my sister in law, who passed nine days apart two years ago. It was also my parents' wedding anniversary, so just surrounding my mom with love has been the priority. We have a baby shower this weekend for my God-sister and her partner who are expecting twins in May, and I'll be working at the Casbah on Sunday. This weekend is the Open Ranch at Hazpaca, but I don't know that I'll make it with my other obligations. This week is also Tax Day, my other sister's birthday, I've got some momming to do and such, so it will be a busy week going into Easter.  Everything is a little crazy around here as we get ready for some big transitions, but we're doing our best to keep our heads on straight and not let TFG steal any more joy from our lives. I hope you're doing the same. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, April 3-Wednesday, April 9, 2025: The Smithereens | Hovvdy | Willis | Geographer | Festival of Beers NP | Annie DiRusso | Rubblebucket | Deep Sea Diver | Stereophonics | Hinds | Blonde Redhead |

Bob Mould at Music Box (4.1.25)

On Wednesday afternoon, I got a call from Halloran out of the blue. He was trying to find my "updates" because he needed to "steal" my listings for the 91X concert calendar because Hilary is on vacation and he's filling in. I guess it was a lucky thing that after the Bob Mould and Craig Finn show I just powered through all night to get the bulk of them done, though I didn't stop working until 9am, which can really screw up any day plans one might've had. It was all fine though, I got in some zoo time before therapy and was able to spend Wednesday night polishing these up and adding a couple extra things that aren't typical venues, so I hope you find something you're into. And next time you hear one of those little things to do blurbs on 91X, know they got that info from ya girl over here. 

I just posted a diary, so I don't need to rehash my week, but lots of great shows are happening this week besides it being Spring Break and Easter weekend. See you at the rally. 

Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. Stay safe out there.