It's a big Saturday in San Diego. The inaugural Adams Avenue Unplugged kicks off today and continues on Sunday. Taking the place of the Roots Fest, which blocked off the streets of Normal Heights, this new event takes advantage of the flourishing businesses along Adams Avenue with acoustic performances by dozens of local and touring musicians. The event is free and all-ages except in bar venues which will maintain their 21-and-up age restrictions. Performers include local stalwarts Josh Damigo, Colin Clyne, Gregory Page, Lisa Sanders and special touring acts like John C. Reilly (the actor, but also a talented bluegrass musician). It is also worth a big mention that Saturday is Record Store Day, and all of your local shops are offering rare and limited edition vinyl along with live music. Collectors know that they should be there bright and early in the morning, with live music mostly in the afternoon.
Saturday, April 21:
- Adams Avenue Unplugged @ Cafe 21, Twiggs, Cantina Mayahuel, Kadan, Antique Row, AC Lounge, Jayne's, Sabuku Sushi, El Zarape, Triple Crown, Lou Jones, The Ould Sod, Rosie O'Grady's, Blind Lady, Dimille's, Adams Parks, Back From Tomboctou, Lestat’s, Ken Club, Cafe Cabaret, Ponce’s, Ken Grill, Ken Club, Kensington Library, Ken Cafe (free, all-ages except bar venues, 12-6 p.m.)
- Record Store Day featuring the Donkeys @ M-Theory (5 p.m.)
- Record Store Day featuring the Lumps, the Marshmallow Men @ Thirsty Moon (1-6 p.m.)
- Record Store Day featuring Trouble in the Wind, the Paragraphs, Sick Balloons, Oldest Boy & Girl, Nena Anderson, DJ set by Lexicon Devil (member of local band Duchess) @ Spin Records (Store opens at 10 a.m. Live music at noon. Free/all-ages/free food while it lasts.)
- The Cat Empire, Stripes & Lines @ Belly Up
- Hunx & His Punx , Natural Child, Plateaus @ Casbah
- Brendan James, Josh Damigo @ Lestat's (9 p.m.)
- Greg Gibson, Tatam Reeves, Cadence Burns @ 3rdSpace (4610 Park Blvd., 8:30 p.m.)
- Black Elk, Death Crisis, Totimoshi, Kodiak @ Soda Bar
- Neon Beat with Junior theDISCOpunk and Vaughn Avakian @ Bar Pink
- Interrobang, Landis, Davis Fetter, Privet @ Tin Can
- Klub Therapy featuring Starcrossed, S.A.M.R.F.A.G., Bryan Pollard, and guests @ Til-Two Club
- Joey Briggs (the Briggs), Jeff Rowe (Tomorrow the Gallows), Flat Wheeler, Dead Frets, Johnny Giles @ Eleven
- Filthy Still, Cyclone Rangers @ The Shakedown
- Lady Dottie, Black Market @ Tio Leo’s Lounge (5302 Napa St.)
- '80s vs '90s with DJ's Gabe Vega and Saul Q @ Whistle Stop
- SD Union presents Concord Dawn (NZ). Machete, Scooba, and more @ Ruby Room
- Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Brawley @ The Griffin
- Sleazy Listening DJs @ Tower Bar
- Party Rock Saturdays with Qenoe & Pablo Stanley @ U-31
- SDSocial, SDYoungpros, Calderon & Chris Jones present Too Short @ House of Blues (7 p.m.)
- Groove International Presents Midnight Masquerade Raise The Guns, I Am The Conqueror, Theleventhhour, Under the Stone, Fall from Vengeance @ House of Blues (7 p.m., Fifth Avenue Sidestage)
- Alison Lonsdale @ Lestat’s (6 p.m.)
- Alive! (A Tribute to Kiss), Hey!, Ho!, Let's Go!, Hellbent @ Brick By Brick
- The Mike Michael’s Program @ Winston's (5 p.m.)
- Skunk Records Presents- Perro Bravo and Tommy Dubs and Sismic Levelers @ Winston's
- Natural Vibrations, Revival @ 710 Beach Club
- In Fear & Faith, Adestria, (CD release), For All Those Sleeping, Casino Madrid, Dream On Dreamer, Lion I Am @ Soma
- Missy Andersen @ Marble Room
- Dizzy's presents Mundell Lowe with Bob Boss guitar, Rob Thorsen bass, Ramon Banda drums, and special surprise guests @ Tango Del Rey (3567 Del Rey St., 92101)
- Acme Rhythm and Blues Revue @ Humphreys Backstage Lounge (5 p.m.)
- Alan Iglesias & Crossfire (Stevie Ray Vaughn Tribute) @ Humphreys Backstage Lounge
- Oceanside Sound System @ Flying Elephant
- OV7 @ 4th & B (Early Show, doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.)
- Stoneface & Terminal, With special guests Kristina Sky, Michau & Sears @ 4th & B (late show, 11 p.m.)
- This is For The Lover in You featuring Howard Hewett @ Anthology (early show 7:30 p.m.)
- Tiempo Libre @ Birch North Park Theatre
- UFC 145, DJ Chelu @ Gallagher's
- Boys & Girls feat. Adam Salter, Andrew Decade, Steve McGovern, Roane @ El Dorado
- LED Presents Mr. White, Sam Hiller @ Voyeur
- Liquid G @ Kava Lounge
- Elev8 with Love & Light + Griz @ Spin
- Showstopper with DJ Scooter and Ricky Rocks @ Fluxx
Rosemary Bystrak 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.
