It kind of feels like a ripoff when holidays fall on a weekend, but a weekend is a weekend and we are ready to do it big. On Friday at the Casbah, get in the Christmas mood as El Vez presents his Merry Mexmas show, in which he reimagines holiday hits with a Mexican twist. At Soda Bar, members of Cults appear as Hideout, and county/rockabilly legend Rosie Flores appears at Tio Leo's. For an early night, join Casey Hensley and friends at the Belly Up as they celebrate the musical contributions of Candye Kane, who passed earlier this year.
Friday, Dec. 23:
- El Vez Merry Mexmas, the Bassics @ Casbah
- Gucci Mane, LXMB @ Observatory North Park
- Hideout, the Gloomies, Bodysong, John the Baptist @ Soda Bar
- Christopher Hollyday Quartet @ Dizzy's
- A Peter White Christmas, with Rick Braun, Euge Groove @ Balboa Theatre
- Rosie Flores & the Mentals @ Tio Leo's
- '80s vs. '90s @ Bar Pink
- The Steely Damned II @ Music Box
- Casey Hensley's Holiday Happy Hour, with Friends of Candye Kane @ Belly Up (5 p.m.)
- Gucci Mane @ Fluxx
- Beatles vs. Stones @ Belly Up
- Ed Kornhauser @ Lobby Bar, Viejas Casino
- A Hero Within (CD release), Sangre, Big Goat, Amaya Lights @ Brick By Brick
- Jon Blaj @ Whistle Stop
- From Chaos And Heaven, Everything Undone, Heartbreak Heroes, Halo Circus, Aure @ SOMA
- Jonathan Lee Band @ The Holding Company
- Gypsy Heartbreakers @ House of Blues
- Reggae Winter Classic: Jahkobeats, Maka Roots, I-Ways @ 710 Beach Club
- Lamuerte, Struckout, the Residence, Higuera, the Kathys (benefit for San Diego Dream Homeless Shelter) @ Che Cafe
- Blue Largo @ Humphrey's Backstage Live (5 p.m.)
- Detroit Underground @ Humphrey's Backstage Live (9 p.m.)
- Burning Hammer, Endless/Nameless, Polish, Mr. Nobody @ Tower Bar
- The B-Side Players @ Winston's
- Shocks of Mighty, Mochilero All Stars @ Til-Two Club
- DJs QSTN & Charlie Rock @ El Dorado
- Elephante @ Bassmnt
- Andre Power @ Bang Bang
- Kyle Flesch @ Parq
- Goodtimes @ Henry's Pub
- Club Musae @ Boar Cross'n
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.
