Border wall, be damned! San Diego gets so much culture and art from our neighbors to the south, even if Cinco de Mayo gets a bigger celebration north of the border than it does in Mexico. In an oversimplified nutshell, the victory of the Battle of Puebla celebrates the underdog, and so you could kind of say it's the perfect reason to celebrate our oft overlooked music scene. Besides the big celebration at Old Town, you could head to Balboa Park for a concert at the Organ Pavilion, or get in on the various celebrations including Bar Pink, 710 Beach Club, the Bancroft, or House of Blues, among others. The Casbah is going full-on Cinco de Stinko with La Diabla and a whole night of music and DJs presented by the Barrio Network. The Belly Up is, of course, sold out as Mariachi El Bronx returns to town but should make for an awesome night for ticketholders. Around town, the Expendables and Tribal Theory play the Observatory North Park, Stephen El Rey and the Schizos play Pour House in Oceanside, and lyrical genius Oddisee plays Music Box. Wherever you land, designate a driver and enjoy a big night in San Diego.
Friday, May 5:
- Cinco de Mayo @ Old Town
- Mariachi El Bronx, Los Bolos @ Belly Up (SOLD OUT)
- Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Atlas Genius, Night Riots @ House of Blues
- Cinco de Mayo con La Diabla, Thee Commons, the Sleepwalkers @ Casbah
- SDSU/Kiwanis Cinco de Mayo Concert in the Park with Jarabe Mexicano @ Spreckels Organ Pavilion
- Stephen El Rey, the Schizophonics, Mittens @ Pour House Oceanside
- First Friday: Cinco de Mayo Edition @ Bar Pink
- Oddisee & Good Compny: Beneath The Surface Tour featuring Olivier St. Louis @ Music Box
- Quel Bordel, DJ Mancat @ The Holding Company 1502
- The No Name Gang, The Unit, Vanguard, Void Vator @ The Merrow
- Soulfly, Gruesome, Lody Kong, Godhammered @ Brick By Brick
- The Expendables, Tribal Theory, Ethan Tucker @ The Observatory North Park
- Casey Hensley Band @ Pour House Oceanside (5:30 p.m.)
- San Diego Symphony: Mahler Symphony No. 3 @ Symphony Hall
- Soul Scratch Band @ Panama 66
- Koffin Kats, the Strikers @ Soda Bar
- West Coast Weekender feat. Marques Wyatt, Jask, Doza, David Montoya, Antonio Manigrassi, Diaztec, Marshall Jones, Eric Groove, Chris Liosi, Olga Arteaga, David Sabat, BigDaddyDog @ Spin
- PB&J presents Dance From Above, Cobra Kills, B.Rose @ Blonde
- The Routine, the Moves Collective @ Winston's
- '80s vs. '90s @ Bar Pink
- Hip-Hop vs. Punk Rock with 10-19 the Numberman, Ve Vende, All Souls, Veks @ Tower Bar
- Atomic Groove’s Cinco de Groove-o Happy Hour @ Belly Up (Happy Hour 5pm)
- Nite Moves with DJ Beatnick & Guest DJ Este @ The Office
- Fatal Jamz, Xetas @ Til-Two Club
- Jon-A, Stephanie Love @ Lestat's
- Cinco de Mayo Friday Fiesta @ Crossroads, House of Blues
- Cinco de Mayo Fest @ The Bancroft
- Cinco de Mayo Especial: Bulevar Descarga, Cumbia Machin @ 710 Beach Club
- DJ Chris Freeman @ U-31
- Hot Rod Lincoln @ Lobby Bar, Viejas Casino
- Undercover @ V Lounge, Viejas Casino
- The Distractions @ Tio Leo's
- Sara Petite @ Humphreys Backstage Live (5 p.m.)
- Rising Star @ Humphreys Backstage Live (9 p.m.)
- Pop Vinyl @ V Lounge, Viejas Casino
- Cinco De Mayo with Frankie J @ FLUXX
- Beat Kitchen with DJs QSTN & Charlie Rock @ El Dorado
- Brohug @ Bang Bang
- Kill the Noise, Tisoki @ Bassmnt
- Scotty Boy, DJ Savi @ Omnia
- Goodtimes @ Henry's Pub
- Vibrate: Memo Rex CRSVR SUSIO Shuski & Lennon @ Kava Lounge
- 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.
