Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 19-Wednesday, March 25, 2026: Liz Cooper | Marissa Nadler | Emo Nite | Radium Dolls | The White Buffalo | Alex Bergan | Bre Kennedy | Jesse Welles | Serengeti | Redd Kross | PEACHES | The Third Mind |

Denny trying to keep cool during a winter San Diego heatwave

I was fully consumed by the Kouri Richins murder case on my LawTube for the past few weeks, so after she was convicted on all counts on Monday, it felt like I needed to decompress, even though I literally have nothing at all to do with any of it. I guess that's how people feel with sportsball and their favorite teams or something, but I was definitely invested since her arrest in 2023 and following the case through all the pretrial motions to the actual jury verdict. So that said, I feel like I was in a bit of a cocoon and can reemerge, just in time for Friday's vernal equinox. 

If you've been out of your house this week, you have certainly felt the Spring Break fever in the air. It feels like the whole country is being devastated by snowstorms, tornadoes, flooding, and they've all decided to escape to San Diego. The Zoo has been packed, SeaWorld has been bananas, every store feels busy, there is no "rush hour" on our freeways as they are just constantly congested. So here's my two cents: s-l-o-w d-o-w-n. Leave earlier when you've gotta be somewhere at some specific time. Load up your phone with podcasts or music or youtube that you love and put on your headphones and just chill out. Take a bus or a cab if parking is gonna stress you out. Get your shit done early mornings or later at night, when things aren't packed to the gills. If you're traveling, incorporate the extra hours on the road, parking, and getting through airports. Almost 400 TSA agents have quit because of the government shutdown, which we are fighting because we cannot concede more money to ICE, this orchestrated and illegal war on Iran, and supporting the chaos muppet in chief. So take a breath. We live in San Diego. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 12-Wednesday, March 18, 2026: Slady | Elefante | Twin Ritual | moondaddy | Margo Price | Creepy Creeps | Fitz & The Tantrums | CRSSD | Ally Nicholas | Son Little | Nefesh Mountain |

I had to get listings done a little early this week because I can never count on my merch nights leaving me enough time to get them done and I had two this week; Rio Kosta at the Casbah and Band of Skulls at Music Box. I was happy to get them mostly done enough on Monday that I spent all of Tuesday at the Safari Park, finally checking out the new Elephant Valley. It really is a stunning space, and I got there early enough that I got to see my other favorite parts of the park, have lunch near the elephants' watering hole at some of the high-top tables, and did all the things so that I could time my afternoon tram near the end of the day. One benefit I didn't know about was that since they have the new fancy restaurant situation in Elephant Valley, it restored Kijama Lookout to a public space; the Watering Hole restaurant is now just a snack bar, which made me so very happy. I got to sit and work for awhile while looking down the Africa habitat at the 3 baby giraffe--one born Jan, one born Feb, and one supposedly born on Monday! If you're a zoo person, Spring Break hours kick in on Saturday, so the Zoo will be open until 7pm through April 5. Hopefully the Safari Park reconsiders their summer hours so people can enjoy the eles when they're at their best...the late afternoons to sunset. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, March 5-Wednesday, March 11, 2026: Bad Bad Hats | Gurriers | Aimee Mann | Lala Lala | SoundCheck Flix Party | Grieves | Donny Benet | NIN | RIO KOSTA | Band of Skulls | Shannon McNally |

Earlier this week, a friend of mine showed me a post from some dude who was like "it's just so hard to find things to do in San Diego, so I've made a website to do just that!" or something to that effect. Good luck, Buddy! Hope that works out for you.😂This site will turn 20 years old in November. 

It's been a nice week, I mean, if you ignore all the parts about people continuing to die in ICE custody, the US just "randomly" starting a war in Iran--then saying it's not a war, and Texas demonstrating how far Rs will go to stop people from voting. Yeah, BESIDES ALL THAT, we're in beautiful San Diego, with almost always perfect weather, and we've got lots of things to do to try and keep ourselves sane is these insane times run by sociopaths and oligarchs and pedophiles. Sheesh. It's a lot. Take care of yourself. Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Bits: SDZWA Opens Elephant Valley (Don't Say His Name) + Zoo Lease Extension To Be Heard In Council on Monday | SDPD Ends Press Pass Program | Traffic Stops Down/Traffic Deaths Up | Voters Will See Controversial City Budget Items On Ballot | SeaWorld Acquires Two Female Walruses |

Kora, a new SeaWorld Walrus (Taken 3.4.26)

I decided I would get a quickie post up instead of continuing to gather news and links. I have to be real, I can't really even watch news right now. We're bombing the shit out of Iran, ICE is still out here running amok, everyone in the Epstein files is still being protected except for the actual victims, and instead of fearing what TFG is gonna do next, we have to worry about the real ones behind the puppetry who are vying to succeed him when they can't weekend-at-Bernie's him any longer. So instead, I do my days at the Zoo and Seaworld, I bought a new couch, so actually working from home is no longer miserable, Darren and I take every chance we can to drive to the mountains or desert for quick daytrips, and last week when he was sent on a work job in Ocotillo Wells, I joined the group for a night of camping, then a trip out to The Living Desert when they all had to go back to their project. So yeah, things can be good and amazing and then all around terrible at the same time, so I'm just trying to focus on the good and keep my head above water. I hope you can do the same. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, February 26-Wednesday, March 4, 2026: Night Blooms | Violent Femmes | Makeout Reef | Matt Pryor | Band Argument | A Wilhelm Scream | Yellow Days | Cochemea | Allie Paige | Sturdivant | Indigo De Souza |

I'm beat. I just got home from a quick camping trip in the desert. I was not planning on 90+ degrees in February, but Darren was going for work, so I met up with his group for camping, then went my own way on Wednesday to hit The Living Desert, which sadly got rid of their reciprocal membership pricing, meaning it might be a long time before I go back even though it's a lovely place. So yeah, I'm wiped out. Van camping in the desert ain't for everyone, though I was impressed by the seemingly random campsite where we stayed which had clean bathrooms and showers and was free to stay. 

So while I go get some sleep, note that the San Diego Music Award nominees have been announced. The awards take place on May 6th at Humphrey's and you can get tickets here. Showcases are also being announced, but weren't yet posted when I put these listings together earlier this week.  

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, February 19-Wednesday, February 25, 2026: Benefit for Soda Bar Dave | Sudan Archives | Cold Cave | rum.gold | Rebirth Brass Band | Steve Poltz | Tim Lowman Celebration of Life | SDMA Nominee Announcement Show | Noeline Hoffman |

There's so much to pack in this week and weekend, no matter what the weather may bring, but I thought I'd highlight the benefit for Dave Castaneda at Soda Bar on Thursday night. Times of San Diego did a nice little article about it, but Dave's been a good friend for a long time, and though I'll be working at Music Box, if you can make it out to support this benefit, I know he'll be super appreciative. He is fine, by the way, but his apartment with all of his things in it, flooded and was condemned, leaving all of his possessions inaccessible. 

This weekend is also the public Celebration of Life for Tim Lowman on Sunday at the Bali Hai. If you plan on attending, please RSVP first so they can have some estimate of how many guests to expect. Please also mind the schedule: Doors will open at 3:00 PM, allowing time for guests to arrive, connect, and spend time together. Formal programming—including remarks, tributes, and special moments of remembrance—will begin at 4:30 PM. 

Additionally, there's a bunch of Lunar New Year events, it's Hazpaca Open Ranch, and there is probably gonna be some snow in the local and near mountains. 

I've got lots of stuff on the agenda, but still hope to take in some more Winter Olympics at home with MY NEW COUCH! which finally arrived after waiting for it all day Wednesday. I love it, I'm so happy with my purchase, it's changed my whole work vibe on the couch. 

Stay safe out there...flu is on the rise so get your vax if you haven't already!! Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: San Diego Chases Bad Ideas With Worse | Paid Parking Installed Along ECB, Adams, More | Will Our Police Protect Us From ICE? | Rady's Gender Clinic Must Continue Care |

I mentioned that I had a pretty great week last week. After seeing Dan Mangan and Israel Nebeker (Blind Pilot) at Soda Bar on Sunday, I couldn't get their songs out of my head, which gave me the perfect excuse to go to LA. When it was raining on Wednesday morning, I thought it a great sign to drive up to spend the day at the LA Zoo, figuring the rain would drive down crowds. I was correct in my assessment and had an amazing day with the orangutans and chimps, and a little bit of time with the gorillas, too, but they spend most of their time along the rear wall of their habitat, so I didn't stay long. After the zoo closed, I freshened up and changed and made my way to Moroccan Lounge for the show, which was extra magical and my first time at that venue. You can read all the rest, after the jump. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, February 12-Wednesday, February 18, 2026: Blackwater Holylight | ALO | Los Yesterdays | The Loons | Squirrel Nut Zippers | DENM | Heartbreaker's Ball | Valentine's Day | Mardi Gras | Cat Power |

Another edition of Rosey gets a wild hair. I spent the rainy morning of Wednesday driving to LA to spend the day at the zoo, and now find myself writing this from The Moroccan Lounge to see Dan Mangan and Israel Nebeker again. Their show on Sunday at Soda Bar was incredible and I knew there was a good chance I could just grab a ticket at the door. I don't exactly have a plan after... drive home, grab a hotel, sleep in the van and maybe return to the Zoo on Thursday... all up in the air. 

It was a good week... Darren and I made a rare appearance out for Shame at the Casbah (thanks to sddi reader Bill for the drinks!) I got to spend plenty of time between Seaworld and San Diego Zoo... in fact we watched the Bad Bunny Bowl at High Tide Brewery at Seaworld among an international representation of  Bad Bunny fans, which was pretty incredible. Then like I said, I went to Soda Bar to round out the weekend.  Not gonna lie, my body wanted to quit on me until I refreshed with more sleep in a day than I usually clock in a whole week. And so here we are. I hope everyone has a really great week... lots of fun shows to catch along with Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year events. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.

I'll reformat in the morning. (As I reformat, I'll tell you I opted for sleeping in my van and then hitting Griffith Observatory as soon as the road and bathrooms opened at 5am in the morning. Super cool. I can't believe I've never been up here before. But now I'm gonna get a little more sleep before the sun makes that impossible in my van. It's kind of insane how fast people drive on the road to get up here!)

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, February 5-Wednesday, February 11, 2026: shame | Cayucas | Stephen Brodsky | Fat, Evil Children | Say She She | Emo Night Karoake | Styletones | Rural Alberta Advantage | Dan Mangan & Israel Nebeker |

New Lionfish at Seaworld in the Bay Aquarium

The passage of time these days seems to be marked by whatever fucked up crazy thing this administration will do next or finding out another friend has passed. While we lost constant contact, there was a time when Nick BK and I spoke on the phone every day. He seemed to be doing well and I don't know the circumstances of his passing, but my condolences to his friends, of which he had many. 

I have been so busy this week, which I seem to only make worse for myself with my horrible sleep patterns and my inability to focus on one goal or task at a time, so I think of 800 things I need to do and brilliant ideas between the hours of 11pm and 5am, and by the time I could actually do or execute anything, I'm trying to listen to some rando sleep hypnosis video on YouTube. So, we'll see where I land, but I'm hoping to go to the shame show on Thursday, I'll be working for Rural Alberta Advantage on Saturday, and then probably watching the game on Sunday since Darren has made us a Bad Bunny loving household, and then Soda Bar has an amazing show that night with Dan Mangan and Israel Nebeker which I hope to catch. 

So yeah, the wheels keep on turning, TFG isn't dead yet, and everything is awesome and sucks all at the same time. Touch grass, go see the sea lion colony in La Jolla, watch the whales migrating, marvel at the new Lionfish at Seaworld, or sit with orangutans and gorillas at the Zoo. Our time is limited. Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. 

Things To Do In San Diego: Thursday, January 29-Wednesday, February 4, 2026: The Album Leaf | Snooper | Mayrig | The Antlers | Tropical Fuck Storm | JD Simo | Andy Frasco | The Black Heart Procession | Triptides |

Axolotl at Sea World (taken 1.28.26) 

Man, I got so fired up about San Diego politics today, that I almost forgot I actually have to finish off my listings with a little verbal vomit and actually hit publish. So here's the news: the San Diego City Council Rules Committee didn't move to council items repealing paid parking on Sundays in Balboa Park (though Raul Campillo tried to expand the repeal to ALL DAYS-- way to go, My Guy!) nor did they move the tax on STRP and empty whole-homes. What a bunch of spineless creeps. Then today I got home to a letter that they're adding 2 and 4 hour parking meters in Normal Heights, Talmadge-Kensington, and City Heights that will be active 8am-8pm. WHAT THE ACTUAL? You guys. Don't believe what your own eyes are seeing. While in Chicago, practically everything was paid parking, but there was COMPETITION, three competing apps that you could choose spots by proximity and price, and all the housing had parking garage options. TG wants this to be a big City, but can't get out of his own way to make it worthy. So yeah. I'm grumpy. As if everything across the country isn't already rage-inducing, we have our own City turning against us. Which is actually hilarious if you recall the article that Todd's own security detail was chaufferring him around and parking in red zones. The hypocrisy is staggering. 

Get out and enjoy some music. Parking on Kettner by the Casbah is still free, for now, and you can park in yellow spots after 6. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.  

Rosey's Diary & Newsy Things: How's PAID PARKING going? NOT FUCKING WELL. | SD Identifies Most Dangerous Intersections | Keep Waymo Out Of San Diego | ICE Murders Need To Stop |

Maned Wolf Cora and a pup (Taken 1.23.26)

In case you missed it while you were trying to celebrate the New Year, the CDC switched up vaccine schedules for infants, children, and adolescents, and in case you missed it, because you were watching ICE attack, beat, shoot, and kill unarmed people, the County and other counties and the State of California all clapped back. 

It's crazy that I wrote the above maybe two weeks ago, and now we have another murder by ICE and the country is reeling, but there are rumors on the internet that they are being pulled back from Minneapolis under immense public pressure (and everyone seeing with their own eyes what happened), so hopefully that's true...though if they're just getting reshuffled and redeployed to other municipalities, including here in San Diego, we need to be ready. I know there's a lot of news happening and I just don't have it in me to collect all the many links of all the terrible things, but I need to get this one up before I get around to listings this week, so click away as you see fit. Or just watch a murder trial on YouTube, because while murder is vile and disturbing, somehow watching a trial can be an escape from all of the really fucking awful things happening around us. 

Stay safe out there. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.