Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, June 26-Wednesday, July 9. 2025: Shakira | John Garcia (KYUSS) | LA Witch | The Sess | Throw Rag | moondaddy | Gothic Summer Dance Party | Ryan Blue & The Bis |

I haven't posted a diary in a minute because the news happens so fast. The 24 hour news cycle has become the 8 hour news cycle and it's really hard to filter and keep up. My "Read Later" folder is bursting at the seams, but I've learned I can't read and also listen to my "Watch Later" streams on YouTube, my long list of waiting podcasts, and the great audiobooks I've checked out from the San Diego Public Library, which thankfully, remains unaffected online when in-person hours get used as negotiating tools for the City budget.

I thought that I was going to go back up to Big Bear next week, so I decided to do TWO weeks of listings, but now I have some gigs, so whether or not the trip happens, you still get listings all the way through July 9th. That means it includes the holiday, but it's also the end of a month, so I will try to update at least once next week, as certain venues post up their July calendars. If you want all the haps with Independence Day fireworks and stuff, you can literally find that in every other media source in San Diego. 

In the meantime, let's all just take a minute to slow down and breathe and enjoy this beautiful area we call home, even if there's an abundance of cracks and faults --here and in this state, and in this country under TFG--that can make us all spiral. Find some joy. There is a lot to be had. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum.  

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, June 19-Wednesday, June 25, 2025: Rhiannon Giddens | Julie Doiron | Jake Shimabukuro | Wu-Tang Clan | Pip Lewis Residency | Spacehog & EMF | Tommy Newport |

I am feeling so good right now. It was so great to see the turnout for the No Kings marches across the country on Saturday, and even though I wasn't there in person, it was invigorating to see so many stand up. We're still having family stuff and graduation stuff and post-op stuff over here, so I felt there in spirit even if not in person. I've also been consuming the entire Karen Read trial via Emily D Baker on YouTube, so it felt like some vindication that she was found not guilty for a murder she very obviously didn't commit. With my case over, I definitely need more content in my life, because I tried watching Love Island and it is so cringe, and the reality shows I used to enjoy just drive me bananas these days. Like get Jax Taylor off all television programs already. 

But this is supposed to be a music site, and there are lots of fun things happening right now. The San Diego County Fair is obviously a solid choice, and all of our favorite spots are keeping their calendars busy even as summer attendance drops off. If you want to keep your favorite spots alive, definitely check out a show or two, even if you're unfamiliar with the bands, because they're all struggling right about now. Also, this week I'm leaving off a venue because it is disgraceful that they're hosting a killing machine show. Not participating or endorsing here. 

Enjoy the holiday if you get to celebrate with a day off. 

Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, June 12-Wednesday, June 18, 2025: San Diego County Fair | Chuck Prophet | benches | California Honeydrops | Valerie June | Preoccupations | Oso Oso | Winona Fighter | Kurt Vile and More!!

San Diego County Fair (6.11.25)

The San Diego County Fair kicked off on Wednesday and I had the pleasure of making a day of it. In the past, I've been a judge for the Battle of the Bands or received some comp tickets and as much as I love Darren and Toby, they are no fun at the Fair, so I don't think I've been since before COVID. This time around, I invited one of my zoo friends and she was game to explore the whole thing, or as much as we could cover in a day, and we sampled a bunch of food and drinks, went to Destination Unknown, the pop-up speakeasy, even played some impossible games in the fun zones and finished the night watching Ozomatli while we enjoyed Cherry Blossom Dubai Chocolate Strawberries from Ricky's Sweet Paradise. I always forget just how many things are going on at once, so I get how people buy season passes or return several times throughout the season. If you do plan on going, get your discounts at Vons/Albertson's, or get your hands on the Costco bundles while you still can. Also know that if you purchase tickets to one of the events at The Sound or reserved seats for the Grandstand, it includes your fair admission. 

There is a lot going on this week in addition to the Fair. I'll be at the Casbah tonight for Chuck Prophet, but then we've got family stuff, with my niece graduating and having a party and Father's Day on Sunday, we'll be jammed with stuff. Hopefully this June Gloom persists, because we know we'll get plenty of hot days and summer sun later on. I'd like to keep needing a hoodie for as long as possible. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Time To Vote For Paloma | San Diego Budget Passes On The Faith Of Balboa Park Parking Revenue | Council Approves Trash Fee | TFG Turns Military On LA |

 

Me and My Beluga Buddy (6.11.25)

We are living in really bonkers times and as much as I want to talk about all the bullshit happening in LA and the stupid fucker in the White House, the fatigue is real. If anything is to be said, it is that the whole lot of them just do a whole bunch of insane things so often, that we can hardly keep up. If you're just exhausted but need to keep up in small doses, I highly recommend subscribing to Heather Cox Richardson's "Letters To An American" newsletter or podcast. I like the pod more, because I can listen at 1.5x and know what's going on without stewing on the outrage for any more time than it warrants. 

Besides all the madness manufactured by TFG in LA, San Diego was having issues of its own, with the Council approving the fee for trash collection and then passing the budget, with the belief that revenues to fill the funding gaps will be collected by charging for parking at Balboa Park and the Zoo, by charging for Sunday parking at meters, by adding more meters throughout the City, increasing meter rates with flexible rates "during special events" (which could literally be every Padres game, every show at Gallagher Square and The Shell, any convention) and by adding fees to credit card transaction to pay for parking (when it is the only option at most meters, at least the ones that actually work). The thing that pisses me off the most, obviously, is charging at parks like Balboa Park and Mission Bay. It is a backdoor way, especially at Mission Bay, to deal, or rather, NOT deal, with homelessness and people living in vehicles and it is fucked up. Additionally, the City is always outsourcing this shit, so they have to SPEND an additional $300k just to get the paid parking initiated in Balboa Park, all so we know that Ace will get a fat contract? Make it make sense!! 

Blah. So much going on and I need to sleep. Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, June 5-Wednesday, June 11, 2025: Sunflower Bean | Brand New | Fruition | CIVIC | Trombone Shorty | Margo Cilker | Sun Kil Moon | James McMurtry | Pip Lewis Residency |

Sunday is World Oceans Day. This is Allua at Seaworld. (Taken 11.19.24)

I have been loving the weather this week. And while I haven't caught a concert in a minute, I did get to catch the opening night of The Mountaintop at New Village Arts. It is a really beautiful and moving show, with just a two person cast for a "poetic reimagining of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s final night." I was especially excited to see that the female lead, Taylor Renee Henderson, was in this performance, because she was amazing in The Color Purple, which was part of the last season at New Village Arts. If you enjoy theatre (but feel priced out of the arts), their forthcoming season is on sale now and will include Rent and Hairspray among others. In the meantime, The Mountaintop runs through June 22 and feels especially relevant today. 

As for shows this week, Sunflower Bean is always great, and Sun Kil Moon is at House of Blues Voodoo Room on Sunday, which is certainly an incredible small room for that show. CIVIC is at Soda Bar on Saturday, and if you know Soda Bar bartender Dave, you should get there early as his band The Sines is one of the openers on the shows. I'll be there unless I can snag a campsite this weekend, because I've definitely felt the itch. 

Other things: the San Diego County Fair starts next week. I missed a couple of the media events, but I'm hoping to make it at least a couple times this summer, especially with their partnership this year with San Diego Humane Society. Lots of fun events featuring domestic pets (but no, you can't bring your own.) Also, I asked if anyone knew what was going on with Navajo, but I finally just clicked through their site and realized it has changed ownership and is now an Irish Steampunk-inspired Speakeasy? or something like that. It's called  McGuffie's Live and I know I was slow on the uptake there, but at least I figured it out.  

Anyway, I hope everyone has a really great week. I'm so happy to be done with these listings. Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.  

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, May 29-Wednesday, June 4, 2025: Gang of Four | Hooveriii | Daniel Rodriguez | Jungle Fire | Fiesta Del Sol | The Toxhards | RnR Marathon | The Minus 5 | Pip Lewis | The Black Keys |

Casbah Matinee (Taken 3.30.25)

I don't know about your life, but I didn't think I would feel so busy this time of year. Toby is the one graduating, but with all the end of year activities plus his recent procedure and follow-up appointments, Darren's training last week which turned into a mini-vacation, and the arrival of my new twin niece and nephew, things feel bananas. And now we have the return of my late summer hours at the zoo, so I feel like I'm gonna always be on the go, so I don't have any specific shows coming up until everything calms down a bit. But I will remind you that this weekend is the Rock n Roll Marathon, and if you have a super great memory, you might recall that our van got towed a couple years back because they changed the route. DON'T GET FUCKED OVER! Make sure you check the route. We used to get door-to-door warnings about the route and cones and partitions and parking signs were up 72+ hours in advance, but people move them or knock them over, whoever distributes the notices forgets about all back-houses and ADUs on properties, and it's pretty much a shitshow where you're on your own and completely liable for the towing fees, no matter how much you stomp your feet or cry about it. Consider this your warning. We are living in an every-person-for-themself kinda world at the moment. Don't get fucked over. 

As for listings, I did them as completely as I could on Tuesday, but the end of the month/start of the new month means lots of gaps because calendars weren't up to date. If anyone knows what's going on with Navajo Live, please reach out to me. 

Stay safe out there (new strain of COVID is here and your government gives no fucks about it!). Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Plane Crash In San Diego | Balboa Park Losing Lawns | Cities Privatizing Public Assets | Cops' Overtime Starving The City | New COVID Variant Gains Steam | TFG Destruction Continues |

  

Me & The New Guy, Labu (Taken 5.28.25)

I've been up super late working tonight because I figure I'll be busy on Thursday with Toby's graduation and doing my work newsletter and all the things, and then I got a reminder about a 10:30am event I'm supposed to be at. Whoopsie. So I'll keep it short, even though I have about 20 rants building up in my soul. Obviously I'm pissed about budgets: the federal reconciliation is horrifying, the City of San Diego's is embarrassing, and I haven't had a chance to look over the County or SANDAG, but I'm sure they'll just piss me off, too. My friend and I were talking about the paid parking coming to Balboa Park (already a foregone conclusion by most) and it just pissed me off even more. Do you know that just to get paid parking going, they have a "one-time use" fee of $325,000 in the budget for "Support For Balboa Park Parking" as well as a $3Million budget for an OUTSIDE CONTRACT 'primarily associated with the security services and to support implementation of paid parking in Balboa Park parking.'" What the actual fuck? I don't dislike Todd Gloria like everyone on Nextdoor does, but he has consistently gotten EVERYTHING wrong on Balboa Park. Like since he was on council. And this is just very bad for San Diegans. 

I know I sound so angry, but that's what happens when my fingers hit the keyboard and I've been unintentionally working for way longer than I planned. I actually had a very good week; Toby was doing well enough after his surgery last week that I went to Big Bear, where Darren was doing a work training and had a room provided. We ended up staying two extra nights and enjoyed it so much-- going on a couple hikes, some drives around the lake, some birdwatching of Shadow and Jackie's nest, visiting the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, catching up with our old friend Kelsey at Pickle's Pie Shop (the pie was AMAZING), and finishing with a little private beach picnic on the last day, before we drove home. Since then, I've been making up for lost time at the zoo and got a couple Seaworld nights in over the weekend when they were open until 9 for Memorial Day. 

But, as I have said, the kid is graduating on Thursday, I've got this event thing, and we'll probably be doing family stuff since I haven't seen the new twins since that first day when I saw them in the hospital. They're all home now, but my sister isn't feeling her best as she recovers from her emergency C-section. So you'll just have to wait for more baby pics. Unless you're like Darren, who believes all babies look the same anyway. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, May 22-Wednesday, May 28, 2025: Detroit Cobras | Sacri Monti | Thievery Corporation | Devotional | The Damned | World Goth Day | Ringo Deathstarr | Blondshell |

Growing up, Las Vegas was in my bones. I loved when my parents would take us for a few days...middle of the week, holidays, off season, peak season...it didn't really matter. We loved packing bags and heading out to stay in a hotel. As I got older, I have such weird associations, like no curfews and no rules, even though I was already an adult and can pretty much do whatever I want to anyway. 

However, in the latest iteration of this adult life, we have a transitioning kid with lots of doctors appointments, my sister has had twins so thats gonna definitely require some time, and I just do my best to see my favorite zoo animals (personalities, if you will) on the daily to keep my brain sane. 

But RIGHT NOW, right now...Darren is up in Big Bear doing some training with a paid for hotel so OF COURSE I asserted my way right in and drove up to accompany him and enjoy the sweet hotel he has for a couple days. We'll be home soon, but we have great wi-fi, it is a holiday weekend, and I have a van loaded up with enough supplies to last a few months. If I didn't miss the fuck outta my kitties, I would just linger on the road on this mountain and beyond forever. 

Stay safe out there. Use your GasBuddy app when you can. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: Busy Life! | West Nile Detected in SD | Mission Trails Construction | San Diego Politics Are Getting Interesting | SCOTUS Disappoints, Again | Repugs Do Bidding For TFG |

My new niece (L) and nephew (R) were born on Sunday!! 

The kid's procedure went great last week and on Wednesday we had the first post-op check-in and everything was looking good. He's back in school now to close out his senior year. Over the weekend we went to Universal Studios with his symphonic band, and though he couldn't play in their competition or ride any rides at the theme park, it was amazing to share the wins on First Place with a superior rating among the instrumental bands, as well as best overall across all high school categories, which also included chorale and vocal-type groups. Before Universal, I was gifted a ticket to the Ryan Adams show on Friday, which I attended with an open mind and open heart in trying to believe he's a better person. He's likely not and the show had me emotionally all over the place, but that music just penetrates my soul.

On Sunday, my God-sister gave birth to her twins, so I spent most of Monday visiting them in the hospital and I believe they'll be going home today, so I'm gonna give them some space so they can get all situated and recover from the whole process, the C-section, and the flurry of non-stop visitors they had all day, in addition to the nurses and doctors swirling in to check on the new mama as well as each baby, with vaccinations, check ups, feedings, changings, hearing tests, and all the things they had to do before clearing the girl out of NICU to be with her brother, mom and dad on Monday night. 

I had fully intended to go to City Council and say my piece about paid parking in Balboa Park, but instead I was at Hoover High School, where seniors were being awarded numerous scholarships, including Toby, who along with his full-ride Chancellor's scholarship at UCSD, got a Lee Mongrue Memoria Scholarship, a Cardinals Interact scholarship, an Advanced Placement medal, a Hoover Alumni Scholarshio, and a Hoover Foundation scholarship, in addition to the PFLAG scholarship and the Tracie Jada O'Brien Student Scholarship he received. We're pretty stoked about all of it. 

And I still have quite a rant about San Diego's proposed paid parking changes, but it's Memorial Day week and I'm about to head out on an adventure. I guess this is exactly why the shitfucks in Congress are trying to pass their Budget Reconciliation at 1am...because everyone is too busy trying to survive and focus on their actual lives to fight. I'll get around to it another time. For now, peace out. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

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.