Americans love to celebrate Cinco De Mayo, but in reality, Mexico's Independence Day, or Fiestas Patrias, is on Sept. 16, so naturally this weekend is a good time to really experience Mexican culture and its impact on our San Diego lives. There's a Fiestas Patrias celebration in Old Town all weekend, and it's full of vibrant food and music for all to enjoy. There are actually a ton of festivals and fairs and daytime events to get you going this Saturday. And besides the sold-out Kaaboo festival, there's so much music tonight. Casbah is doubling up with an early show with Junior Brown and a late show with Surefire Soul Ensemble. Peter Bradley Adams returns to Soda Bar and fiery stars Cafe Tacvba get things going at Harrah's SoCal Resort. I could go on, but you can check the list for yourself and find some magic in the music tonight.
Saturday, Sept. 14:
- Kaaboo Del Mar featuring Dave Matthews Band, Black Eyed Peas, One Republic, Bryan Adams, Sublime With Rome, Squeeze, Switchfoot, Cheat Codes, Keuning, Badflower, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, Blind Melong, Mix Master Mike, Laine Hardy, The Artisinals, The Gooms, Suckerbox, Chevy Metal, Time Reynolds, Sir, Please, Bert Kreisher, Jimmy O Yang, Tig Notaro, Tom Green, Chefs Michael Mins, Nyesha Arrington, Travis Swikard @ Del Mar Fairgrounds (sold out)
- South Bay Pride Art & Music Festival @ Bayside Park, Chula Vista (free, 12-7 p.m.)
- Fiesta De Independencia @ Thorn Brewing Barrio Logan
- Fiestas Patrias & Founders Day Festival @ Old Town
- Ray at Night @ Ray Street, North Park
- Moon Festival @ Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park (free, 11:30 a.m.)
- Surefire Soul Ensemble, Montalban Quintet, Moans @ Casbah (9:30pm)
- Junior Brown, Trevor McSpadden @ Casbah (6 p.m.)
- Cafe Tacvba, Neptuna @ The Events Center, Harrah's Resort SoCal
- Peter Bradley Adams @ Soda Bar
- "Musicians for Autism": 2019 Believe Benefit Concert for UCSD-ACE @ The Conrad (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)
- Low Volts @ Grand Ole BBQ & Asado (1-4 p.m.)
- Too Rude for Sunday @ Mr. Peabody's
- DSB, 80's Underground @ Belly Up
- DJ Mike Delgado @ Bar Pink
- Air Supply @ Pechanga Resort
- DJ Dennis the Menace Borlek @ Whistle Stop (5 p.m.)
- The Higgs, Katie and Andrea @ Winston's (9:30 p.m.)
- Kataklysm, Exhorder, Krisiun, Hatchet @ Brick by Brick
- Booty Bassment with DJs Dmitri and Rob @ Whistle Stop
- San Diego Showcase with Hardini, Sethii Shmactt, Jody, YHG Pnut @ Soma
- Joey Harris & the Mentals @ Black Cat Bar
- Pink Turns Blue @ Space
- Just Like Heaven '80s New Wave Nite @ Blonde
- Clinton Davis Trio @ Panama 66
- Quantic, Mimi Zulu @ Music Box
- Hippie Death Cult, Mezzoa, Psylow, Strange Mistress @ Til-Two Club
- Chafa, Blood Stained Concrete, Bobxross, Tourist, Madrugado @ Che Cafe
- Edgar Degas: Works on Paper @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
- The Dave Gleason Trio @ Grand Ole BBQ & Asado (5-8 p.m.)
- Lea Love, Swells @ Rookie's Sports Bar
- Lorenzo Antonio y Sparx Cena y Baile @ Sycuan Casino
- Country Brunch Live with Whiskey Ridge @ House of Blues (10 a.m.)
- The Long and Winding Road @ House of Blues
- Quel Bordel @ The Holding Company
- Sherry Vine in "Hollywood and Vine" @ Martini's Above Fourth
- Ealdor Bealu, Nebula Drag, Mortar, Vedic @ Tower Bar
- Frankie T. & the Triple B. @ De Oro Mine Co.
- Viva Mexico! Special Edition Loteria Night @ Border X Brewing
- Glamourbomb @ Bancroft Bar
- The Industry, Saving the State, Splendid Noises @ Lestat's
- Limited Jurisdiction @ Winston's (2 p.m.)
- Urban Gypsys @ Wildwood Crossing
- James Kaye @ Himmelberg's
- Club Sabbat: Naughty School Girl Night @ The Merrow (8 p.m.)
- T-Dance @ The Merrow (12 p.m.)
- Steph Johnson @ Plaza Bar, Westgate Hotel
- Riot Scene: Deathboys, Roman Watchdogs, Three Kings @ Salty Frog
- Strictly Business with DJs Edroc & KanyeAsada @ The Office
- Tiki Tronic @ Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room
- No Kings, Nothing Special, 2Tone Lizard Kings @ 710 Beach Club
- Thump Juice @ Rosie O'Grady's
- The Cobby Brezeski Quartet @ Seven Grand
- Whiskey Ridge @ Renegade
- "Art of Flamenco" Dinner Show @ Cafe Sevilla
- Bump City Brass @ Tio Leo's
- Rising Star @ Humphreys Backstage Live (9 p.m.)
- Mercedes Moore @ Humphreys Backstage Live (5 p.m.)
- Mini-Concert with Kasey Kay @ The Lyceum (free, 12 p.m.)
- The Lost Monarchs @ Amplified Aleworks
- Manhattan 62nd Anniversary Lot Party @ Manhattan Bar
- Caliber, DJ Moniq @ V Lounge, Viejas Casino
- Fluid in Motion, DJ Moniq @ Lobby Bar, Viejas Casino
- North County Lumber Truck @ Indian Joe Brewing
- Butts Ta Nute with Jason Waterfalls, Julz, Kev Might @ El Dorado
- Karma @ Parq
- Gareth Emery @ Hard Rock Hotel
- Nitti Gritti @ Bassmnt
- Stay United: Christian Martin & Lenny Kiser @ Spin
- Chosen Arrows @ Navajo Live
- Wellman @ Fluxx
- AUF Presents: Umbrella Nights No. 8 featuring Susio, Tiago, Mad Waves, Leelu @ Kava Lounge
- DJs & Dancing @ Henry's Pub
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.
