A couple things: SxSW is in full swing, so if you're hoping for up and coming touring indie acts, you're gonna have to wait a minute; the other thing is that it's St. Patrick's Day weekend, which means your usual programming might be superceded by Paddy's celebrations and you're just gonna have to suck it up and deal with it. Or you can dive headfirst into it and spend your Friday with San Diego's own, the Downs Family, who've been singing Irish-flaired punk since the early '90s. Tonight, they appear at the Black Cat. You could also just support local by heading to Bar Pink for Spooky Cigarette, dance to Emo Nite at the Casbah, or get your Hawaiian groove up at California Center for the Arts Escondido. There are certainly awesome shows to choose from tonight and all weekend, but maybe just cut the rookies a break as they go overboard for the green holiday weeekend.
Friday, March 15:
- The Downs Family, Clint Westwood Band, the Heart Beat Trail @ Black Cat Bar
- Spooky Cigarette, Timothy Eeerie @ Bar Pink (8 p.m.)
- Emo Nite LA presents Emo Nite Casbah @ Casbah (tickets at the door)
- Super Diamond, Fleetwood Max @ Belly Up (SOLD OUT)
- The Master of Hawaiian Music ft. George Kahumoku, Jr., Nathan Aweau, Kawika Kahiapo @ California Center for the Arts Escondido
- Droeloe, Kidwaste, Duskus, Tails @ The Observatory North Park
- Gene Evaro Jr., Proxima Parada, Lily Waters @ Soda Bar
- Waste Aways, Missing Limbs, Homeless Sexuals, Static on the Stereo @ Ken Club
- DJ Camilla Robina, Deadmatter @ Bar Pink (10 p.m.)
- Banda MS @ Viejas Arena, SDSU
- Sin A Deir @ Seven Grand
- Boogieman Presents Rollin' Wit Tha Funk Vol.3, No.1 @ Space
- Kahlil Nash, MR J Reez, Tim Dickison @ Lestat's
- Boostive, Mimi Zulu @ Winston's
- Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen @ Templar's Hall In Old Poway Park
- Young Guns @ Moonshine Beach
- Georgia Chrome @ Moonshine Flats
- Ginger Roots @ De Oro Mine Co
- R&B Only with Dauchè and Jabari @ House of Blues
- Rock en Espanol with Zenith @ Border X Brewing
- Graham Gillot Band @ Crossroads, House of Blues (FREE)
- Tori Roze & the Hot Mess @ Rosie O'Grady's
- California Rangers @ Pour House (5-9 p.m.)
- Custard Pie @ Pour House (10 p.m.)
- CaliSamba, Cadu Ramos, DJ Novinho @ 710 Beach Club
- Janice, Nathan & Tony @ Martini's Above Fourth
- After Hours w/DJs EdROC & Ayla Simone @ The Office
- Timothy Eerie and more @ Til-Two Club
- DJ Freeman @ U-31
- Funk's Most Wanted @ Tio Leo's
- Sue Palmer @ Humphreys Backstage Live (5 p.m.)
- Viva Santana @ Humphreys Backstage Live (9 p.m.)
- Chad Prather @ Ramona Mainstage
- The Rough @ Navajo Live (10 p.m.)
- The Verge, DJ Moniq @ V Lounge, Viejas Casino
- The Sidekicks, DJ Moniq @ Lobby Bar, Viejas Casino
- Now & Later with DJ Artistic @ El Dorado
- Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Tropa Magica @ Music Box
- Atomic Groove's St. Paddy Shamrock Bash @ Belly Up (5 p.m.)
- FNGRS CRSSD: Will Clarke, Sian, Lee K @ Spin
- F---ing in the Bushes: Brit Pop with DJ Van Sant @ Whistle Stop
- We Are Your Friends Indie Dance Party @ Blonde
- DJ Direct @ Parq
- Hotel Garuda @ Bang Bang
- Slander @ Omnia
- DJ Kaos @ Fluxx
- Digital Cocoon with Joe Pea @ Kava Lounge
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.