I can't really remember the year, but I distinctly remember driving around downtown in my little Mazda. Halloran was on the radio talking about this or that as he was wont to do, and he caught my ear. He was playing a local singer/songwriter named Jason Mraz and he proceeded to play "You and I Both." I kinda lost it. I was definitely interested and became one of those people who would pack into Java Joe's to hear him play. Of course, he went on to become one of the biggest selling artists in the world, and when I last saw him play an acoustic set to a patio of about 100 people at a Sunset Sessions a handful of years back, I was the envy of many of my peers. Tonight, Jason brings a little bit of that magic to Spreckels Theatre, and while not exactly Java Joe's, there's no doubt the house will be full of people who were listening to him from that very first release. I wonder if he'll be bringing avocados from his grove for merch? Meanwhile, our friends Dirty Sweet are back after a several year hiatus and play a sold-out album release show at the Casbah, Rising Appalachia play a second night at Belly Up and Action Bronson brings his business to the Observatory. For a special one time all-ages event, I was an adviser to a Helix High student who has put together a benefit for CCMS with a few local bands. The show is open to the public but is a private residence, so be respectful -- i.e. no drugs and no alcohol. Still, it's a fun way to support a good cause while helping a motivated high school kid finish her senior project.
Saturday, Oct. 14:
- Taste of North Park @ Various Locations (11 a.m.-3 p.m.)
- Ray at Night @ Ray Street (6 p.m.)
- Fair@44 Salsa Sabado @ Fair at 44 (El Cajon Boulevard between Fairmont & 44th, 5 p.m., free)
- San Diego Serbian Festival @ St. George Serbian Orthodox Church (11 a.m.-11 p.m.)
- An evening of music and banter with Jason Mraz @ Spreckels Theatre (SOLD OUT)
- Dirty Sweet, John Meeks, Brainticket DJs @ Casbah (SOLD OUT)
- Rising Appalachia, Gill Landry @ Belly Up
- Action Bronson: Blue Chips 7000 Tour @ Observatory North Park
- CCMS Benefit featuring Boxx Office, Chutes, One I Red, Fake Tides @ 3452 Sparling St., San Diego, CA (all ages, 6-9 p.m., NO ALCOHOL, NO DRUGS, $5)
- The Aquabats, Skapeche Mode, Dog Party @ House of Blues
- Emarosa, A Lot Like Birds, Jule Vera, ALKE @ The Irenic
- Robben Ford @ Humphreys Backstage Live (7 p.m. & 9 p.m.)
- Folk Heritage 30th Anniversary Concert @ Pilgrim United Church of Christ
- Joe Garrison & Night People @ Dizzy's
- Harp Guitar Gathering Weekend/Harp Guitar Concert @ Museum of Making Music
- SD Fundraiser for Mexico & the Caribbean @ La Bodega
- TEDxSanDiego2017 @ Symphony Hall
- Jazz Diego featuring Larry Carlton, Jessy J, Michael Paulo, Gregg Karukas, DW3, Jazmin Ghent @ Embarcadero Marina Park North (2-8 p.m.)
- My Favorite Murder Live! @ Balboa Theatre
- Kidjuda, Beyond My Afterlife, Cozy & Raredell, Mainsail, Be All, End all, Stick Bitz @ Soma
- DJ Saul Q @ Bar Pink (10 p.m.)
- Cult Leader, Dälek, Vermin Womb, Street Sects @ Soda Bar
- Club Sabbat @ The Merrow
- The Kumite Stand-Up Comedy Contest @ Bar Pink (8-10 p.m.)
- The Heart Beat Trail, the Touchies, Polish @ Black Cat Bar
- Goldfish @ Music Box
- Maiden USA, Rage Again, Epic: Tribute to Faith No More, Xanadoodz @ Brick by Brick
- Some Ember, SRSQ (Kennedy of Them Are Us Too), Choir Boy @ Space
- Another Night presents Overjoy with DJ Adam Salter @ Blonde
- Brunch with Whit @ Pour House (1-4 p.m.)
- Choreo Cookies 10-Year Anniversary Showcase @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
- Jerry 'Hot Rod' DeMink @ Crossroads, House of Blues (FREE)
- Cassie B Project, DJ Oren @ The Holding Company 1502
- Wolves of Eden (EP release), Sweet Myths, Cloudside @ Lestat's
- Janice Edwards and Nathan Fry @ Martini's Above Fourth
- Dum Cumpsters, Slum Summer, Hurricane Kate @ Tower Bar
- Ginger Roots & the Protectors @ De Oro Mine Co.
- Maggie Rose @ Moonshine Beach
- Brandon Ray @ Moonshine Flats
- Fuzz Junkies, Mad Scientist, Surfing Machines @ Winston's (5 p.m.)
- DJ Williams' Shots Fired @ Winston's (9:30 p.m.)
- The Do-Its, the Outta Sites, Alvino & the Dwells @ Til-Two Club
- Strictly Business with DJs Kanye Asada & Gabe Vega @ The Office
- Benefit for Michael Angelo Palacios featuring the Voices, the Bird Rockers @ 710 Beach Club
- DJ Bacon @ U-31
- 3rd Project @ Tio Leo's
- Butts Ta Nuts with DJs Jason Waterfalls, Julz, Kev Mighty @ El Dorado
- Bleep Bloop, Paint, Sumthin Sumthin @ Bassmnt
- Goldroom (DJ Set) @ Bang Bang
- Crowd Control + Hood Politics present Denney @ Spin
- DJ Drama @ FLUXX
- Sserious Guise @ Navajo Live
- Tech Support featuring Alex Rubio, Massio, Donald Thump, Mr.Smith @ Kava Lounge
- Rockstar Saturdays @ Henry's
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.
