The hardest part of my job is writing about musicians or people closely connected to our local music scene who have passed away. We all think we're young forever, so it never gets any easier, we never expect it, and our city is left behind to show strength while also lost in shock and grief. So it is for Steve Rodriguez of the Dragons, who touched so many and was a true rock & roller. Tonight he is celebrated and remembered at the Casbah, with all money collected going to a college fund for the son left behind by his sudden passing. This is an early event with doors opening at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, some big names roll through town like Juanes at the Civic Center, Darius (don't call him Hootie) Rucker at Sleep Train Amphitheatre, and comedian Bill Maher is at Humphreys.
Sunday, August 2:
- Welcome To Rock & Roll Heaven in Memory of Steve Rodriguez: Memorial & Performances by the Dragons, Steve Poltz, Uncle Joe's Big Ol' Driver, Saint Shameless, DJs Dennis Borleck & Louis Mello @ Casbah (Doors at 6 p.m. $15 minimum donation at the door. No advance tickets. First come, first served. Monies raised will be put into a college fund for Steve's son Jesse. If you would like to donate but cannot attend the event, a GoFundMe account has been created.)
- Juanes @ Civic Center San Diego
- Bill Maher @ Humphreys Concerts By The Bay
- Darius Rucker: Southern Style Tour, Brett Eldredge, Brothers Osborne, A Thousand Horses @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
- Coliseum, Culture Abuse, Super Unison @ Soda Bar
- Mr. Tube & the Flying Objects @ Panama 66 (All Ages, 7-9 p.m.)
- Dave Malone (of the Radiators) @ Winston's
- Battle For Vans Warped Tour @ House of Blues
- Melanie Martinez @ House of Blues
- Rat Sabbath @ Bar Pink
- Mondo Drag, Slow Season, Red Wizard @ Tower Bar
- The American Deformity Tour: Defeated Sanity, Skinned, Carnivore Diprosopus, Iamtheshotgun @ Brick By Brick
- Ernie Halter, Joni Llamedo, Raelee Nikole @ Lestat's
- Open Mic @ Java Joe's
- Jason Brown, New Joy Band @ Humphreys Backstage Live
- Karaoke @ Winston's
- Hola Ghost, Blackjacktits, Straight Shooter@ Til-Two 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.
