Some believe that it takes a death to experience a rebirth, and I have to say that I'm pleased with the new direction of the San Diego Music Awards. There are still some areas that could use growth (like offering streaming music of nominees for people to make more educated votes), but these things take a lot of work. This year, there's a whole week of activity, which started on Saturday at Karl Strauss, and gives San Diego music fans an opportunity to see nominees from various genres up close and personal. Tonight you can head to Tio Leo's to catch an all-star blues showcase with several of the nominees including Whitney Shay, Robin Henkel, Michele Lundeen and more. Around town, Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn play California Center for the Arts Escondido, the Oxen headline at Casbah, Dread Mar I headline Music Box, and Matisyahu plays his second of two nights at the Belly Up.
Wednesday, March 15:
- San Diego Music Awards Allstar Blues Showcase with Whitney Shay, Robin Henkel, Michele Lundeen, Tom Cat Courtney, the Fremonts, Chickenbone Slim & the Biscuits, Chet & the Committee, and more @ Tio Leo's
- Abigail Washburn and Béla Fleck @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
- The Oxen, Vakoum, Chill Pill @ Casbah
- Dread Mar I, Piracy Conspiracy, DJ Queendo Tribe @ Music Box
- Zucchero: Black Cat Live Tour @ Balboa Theatre
- Matisyahu: Release the Bound - An Evening With @ Belly Up
- Anna Meredith, Media Jeweler @ Soda Bar
- Fresh Sound presents "Endangered Blood" @ Bread & Salt
- Temple Party @ Bar Pink
- Truckfighters @ Brick By Brick
- Sam Riggs @ Moonshine Beach
- Gilbert Castellanos Young Lions Series & Jazz Jam @ Panama 66
- Femme Forme @ Whistle Stop
- Dance Klassique House Night w/ Joe Pea, Ryan Bauer & Gomez @ Blonde
- Hey Monea, Paul Pfau @ The Holding Company 1502
- Club Kingston Presents: 3 Wise with DJ Carlos Culture @ Winston's
- Matthew Stevens @ The Loft, UCSD
- Karaoke @ The Bancroft
- DJ Harvest Karaoke @ Chico Club
- Tropical Wednesday with DJ Mo Lyon @ U-31
- Open Mic with Jefferson Jay @ Winston's (6-9 p.m.)
- Rosy Dawn @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
- WTF Wednesday @ El Dorado
- Open Mic/Open Jam @ 710 Beach Club
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.
