This is a little bit embarassing to admit, but I've been a local music supergroupie ever since I was in high school. I listened to Loudspeaker religiously and recorded all of the shows on my cassette deck so I would always have local music to listen to. In my senior year, my English teacher invited her friend Steve Poltz to come play for our class as he explored the history of music from the early 20th century to the present. I was already a fan from those cassette tapes, but seeing Steve live for the first time was a turning point in my life in many ways, and I was hooked on local music forever.
All of these years later, I carry a special fondness for Steve, not only because he's been a great friend and is such an amazing musician, but because of all of the charity and public good he's been involved with over the years. On Saturday, he'll be playing a special benefit at Mission Brewery in East Village. All proceeds benefit the Barking Lot, a haven where animals are rescued from shelters that would otherwise be eutanized. There's a solid lineup, and since it's Beer Week, why not save animals while having some cold local brews?
Rock n Rollover, featuring Steve Poltz, Upstream, Christopher Dale, Paul Cannon Band, Makepeace Brothers @ Mission Brewery (benefit for the Barking Lot, 3-10 p.m., 21+, $35)
The Village Hillcrest November Blues Fest, featuring John January and Friends (open blues jam), Clone Ponies, Stoney B Blues Band, Rogue Devilles, Charlie Rae @ The Village Hillcrest (5th Avenue, free, 2:30-9 p.m.)
San Diego Brewers Guild Festival @ The Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier (VIP, 1-5 p.m., general admission 2-5 p.m., 21+, $35-$45 )