It's only mid-November, but I am already living the holiday spirit: Things are starting to get a little bit colder, the nights a little brisker and full of overnight moisture, and streaming services are filling up with holiday films. But we're here for the music, and I'm so excited to finally see the Ocean Blue, a band I loved in the '90s but never had the chance to see back then. They appear at a sold out show tonight at the Casbah. If you didn't get tickets, another spectacular option is Rufus Wainwright at Symphony Hall. He's actually performing with the symphony, which adds drama and depth to his already astonishing performances. Twin Peaks and Post Animal offer up a great lineup at the Belly Up, and Jungle Fire bring the latin-funk vibes to Soda Bar. It's a great night for music all around, just don't be ashamed if you've already started pulling out your winter scarves.
Saturday, Nov. 16:
- The Ocean Blue, Fine China, DJ Jon Blaj @ Casbah (sold out)
- Rufus Wainwright with the San Diego Symphony @ Copley Symphony Hall
- Twin Peaks, Post Animal, Ohmme @ Belly Up
- Havdalah Celebration Concert with the One and Only, Ezzy Gluck and Band @ Observatory North Park
- Jungle Fire, La Diabla @ Soda Bar
- Blood Ponies @ Vinyl Junkies Record Shack
- Gregory Page @ Lestat's
- Moonchild, Kiefer @ Music Box
- Neon Beat @ Bar Pink
- The Grinns, Buddha Trixie, Carpool Tunnel, Cardboard Boxer @ Soma Sidestage
- '80s vs. '90s with DJs Gabe Vega & Saul Q @ Whistle Stop
- Tardigrade, Secret Fun Club, Dr3ambro5 @ San Diego Content Partners
- Slum Summer, Batlords, Your Friendly Bartender @ Ken Club
- Saturn BLVD and Boogie Buba present Pizza Party in Space @ Space
- Danish String Quartet Prism I @ The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
- All Is Calm: the Christmas Truce of 1914 @ Veterans Museum
- Jesus Christ Superstar @ Civic Theatre (2 p.m. & 8 p.m.)
- The Aquabats, Ppl Mvr @ House of Blues
- The Gay Agenda, Flying Brains @ Tower Bar
- El Ritmo Global with DJ Viejo Lowbo @ Border X Brewing
- Bump! Underground Disco, Bob Dazzla, Shige @ Blonde
- Erika Davies @ Panama 66
- Magician Justin Willman @ Balboa Theatre
- Moonshineville with Mike Nash & the Southern Drawl Band @ Moonshine Flats
- Heart of Leo @ Mr. Peabody's
- Equinox @ Mr. Peabody's (9 p.m.)
- Johnny Deadly Trio @ Seven Grand
- Pour House presents Worshipper, Horseburner, Call of the Wild @ Pour House
- Chris Perondi's Stunt Dog Experience @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
- XXV: the Silver Anniversary Exhibition @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
- Mayor Taco Ghost, 3spds, Orchid x Mantis, Afrosurfshack @ Black Cat Bar
- The Sea Monks @ Grand Ole BBQ & Asado (1-4 p.m.)
- Alvina & the Dwells @ Grand Ole BBQ & Asado (5-8 p.m.)
- Rock 105.3 presents Dirty Honey @ Voodoo Room, House of Blues (sold out)
- Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage, Pinkeye and Squarecrow @ Tower Bar (2-5 p.m.)
- Choose Your Own Adventure @ De Oro Mine Co.
- North Space, Kinky Velvets, Splendid Noises, the Industry @ Bancroft Bar
- Chris Lorenzo: Me & You Tour @ Quartyard
- Dennis 'The Menace' Borlek @ Whistle Stop (5 p.m.)
- Wild Records presents Bebo & the Good Time Boys @ Manhattan Bar
- Adairs Run @ Moonshine Beach
- Lessed Hellhounds, Mala Vida @ Winston's (5 p.m.)
- Proxima Parada, Dan & Drum @ Winston's (10 p.m.)
- Jumped In, Outrageous Behavior, Gravity Grave, Robotic Humans @ Til-Two Club
- West of 5 @ Fast Times
- Dizzy Reed's Hookers & Blow with Revelation 69, Max Cady, K Prouty @ Brick by Brick
- Pocket Sized @ The Rabbit Hole
- Urban Gypsys @ Wildwood Crossing
- Trick @ The Merrow
- Dr. Sketchy's (Anti) Art School San Diego @ The Merrow (3 p.m.)
- Cuffin: All Thangs R&B Party @ Park & Rec
- Steph Johnson @ Plaza Bar, Westgate Hotel
- Country Brunch Live @ House of Blues (10 a.m.)
- Strictly Business with DJs Edroc & Heminguey @ The Office
- Joey Harris & the Mentals @ Riviera Supper Club & Turquoise Room
- The Amalgamated, Epic XVIII, the Brass Cats @ 710 Beach Club
- JD Crawford Band @ Renegade
- The Wailers @ Seaside Stage, Del Mar Racetrack
- 'Art of Flamenco' Dinner Show @ Cafe Sevilla
- DJ Senema @ U-31
- The Sleepwalkers, Action Andy & the Hi-Tones @ Tio Leo's
- Y3K @ Humphreys Backstage Live (5 p.m.)
- Full Strength Funk @ Humphreys Backstage Live (9 p.m.)
- Doctor Wu: the Steely Dan Tribute @ Ramona Mainstage
- Wildside, DJ Autumn @ V Lounge, Viejas Casino
- Trevor McSpadden, DJ Autumn @ Lobby Bar, Viejas Casino
- BK Lounge with DJs Billie Knight, Tone Capone, Dub-B @ El Dorado
- Martin Ikin @ Bang Bang
- Overdrive 6-Year Anniversary with Hector Fonseca + Techniche @ Spin
- Travel Agents @ Navajo Live
- Seria Star, Fleetwood Smack, Jonny Quest @ 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.
