All of our favorite spots are festively adorned with decorations this time of year, but for me, nobody makes this time of year quite as cozy as the Ken Club. Maybe it's because the usually bustling neighborhood gets so quiet after dark, and the whole strip of Adams Avenue feels like a different town. On Saturday, head to Kensington for their annual Christmas Party with "the scariest band in the world," Deadbolt, along with the Straitjackits and a special performance by Hell on Heels Burlesque. Around town, there are plenty of other entertaining shows, including Vince Staples at the Observatory, Reason to Rebel at Soda Bar and, for the North Country folk, an ugly turtleneck and sweater party at the Belly Up.
Saturday, December 19:
- Ken Club Christmas Party, with Deadbolt, the Straitjackits, Hell on Heels Burlesque @ Kensington Club
- The Raveonettes @ Casbah (sold out)
- Vince Staples @ The Observatory North Park
- Reason to Rebel, Loom, Omega Three, the Lie Show @ Soda Bar
- Neon Beat @ Bar Pink
- 13th Annual Ugly Turtleneck & Sweater Party, with the Young Guns and DJ Hugh Janus @ Belly Up
- Afrotruko! @ Music Box
- Strung Out (performing "Exile in Oblivion" in its entirety), Counterpunch, Skipjack, Oddball @ Brick By Brick
- '80s vs. '90s, with Gabe Vega & Saul Q @ Whistle Stop
- Tim Flannery & the Lunatic Fringe, Barbara Nesbitt @ Star of India, San Diego Maritime Museum
- Bucket of Fish (CD release), the Skank Agents, Grim Luck, the Chili Banditos, Mayors of Sexytown, Temper Tangents @ SOMA
- Molly's Revenge, Christa Burch @ Seaside Center for Spiritual Living
- Mikan Zlatkovich & his Quintet @ Dizzy's
- Terror, Code Orange, Take Offense, Malfunction, Bitter End, Malfunction, PSO @ Che Cafe
- AJ Froman, the Wind Playing Tricks @ The Balboa
- A Peter White Christmas, Rick Braun @ Balboa Theatre
- Dam Funk DJ Set, DJ Ikah Love, DJ Brougham @ The Hideout
- The Dangerfield, Neurotic Mirage, Los Homeless @ Tower Bar
- Hot Chicken Stew Reunion, and the Kevin Wallace Project @ Winston's (3-8 p.m.)
- Martin & the Big Nativity Scene, Richie & His Flying Guitar, Breaker @ Winston's
- Birdzilla, Ruben Lady, Tequila Mockingbird @ Til-Two Club
- Badabing, Taken By Canadians, Everyone Is Dirty @ The Black Cat
- Allison Lonsdale and Eben Brooks @ Lestat's (6-8 p.m.)
- Lestat's West Christmas Show @ Lestat's (8 p.m.)
- Benefit for Kimi Schorder, with John Mailander, Sara Petite @ Java Joe's
- The Beatangers @ Bang Bang
- Botnek @ Omnia
- DJ Turbulence @ Parq
- Joey Harris & Friends @ Tio Leo's
- Patrick Berrogain @ Croce's Park West (noon)
- Gilbert Castellanos @ Croce's Park West (7 p.m.)
- Star Wars Party with Kyle Flesch @ Fluxx
- The Naughty Elves @ Kava Lounge
- Piracy Conspiracy @ Gallagher's Irish Pub
- Superunloader @ 710 Beach Club
- Ho Ho Hoey’s Rockin’ Holiday Tour, featuring Gary Hoey, Points North, RDG, Taz Taylor @ Ramona Mainstage
- Lucent, featuring Solarstone @ Spin
Rosemary Bystrak is the publicist for the Casbah and writes about the San Diego music scene, events and general musings about life in San Diego on San Diego: Dialed In. Follow her updates on Twitter or contact her directly.
