Need a boost of Christmas spirit or ideas for New Years Eve merrymaking? Here are ten events that offer up great options for holiday fun!
- December 14 – The San Diego Troubadour Fundraiser / Tio Leo’s, Bay Park
This annual event is the biggest holiday party of the season for local musicians. Funds raised go to help support The San Diego Troubadour, celebrating its 25th year, with plenty of the magazine’s musical friends on hand, in the audience and, onstage: The Bastards (with Jeff Berkeley, the Zzymzzy Quartet, Dolly’s Revenge, Chuck Schiele’s American Grind, Zavala Sol, and Blame Betty.
- December 17 – Johnny Vernazza Christmas – Humphrey’s Backstage Live, Shelter Island
Blues legend Johnny Vernazza celebrates the release of his first holiday album, Home by Christmas with a special show at Humphreys Backstage Live. He’ll be joined by an all-star group of friends including Mercedes Moore, Anthony Cullins, Walter Gentry, Jonny Viau, Edward Cleveland, Ted Belledin and Mike Burnham, performing the entire album and other favourites.
- December 18 – Roni Lee’s Rockin’ Christmas / The Holding Company, Ocean Beach
She’s written songs for the likes of The Runaways, and on December 18, rock guitarist Roni Lee hosts a Christmas event at The Holding Company, joined by Taz Taylor and Manzanita Blues.
- December 19 – A Country Christmas / The Barn, Ramona
Seasonal tunes with a country flavor and excellent originals from Elizabeth Bowersox and the Kicks, plus Sara Jade. Bowersox just released a new single, “The Last Girl.”
- December 19 & 20 – Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz / Baker Baum Concert Hall, La Jolla
An all-star musical lineup performs some of the most beloved music of the season, Vince Guaraldi’s 1965 soundtrack to the first Peanuts special. With Peter Sprague (guitar), Allison Adams Tucker (voice), Tripp Sprague (flute & saxophone), Beth Ross Buckley (flute), Mackenzie Leighton (double bass), Danny Green (piano), Duncan Moore (drums) and Robert John Hughes (narrator). Highly recommended.
- December 21 – Winter Schminter Solstice Concert / First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, Hillcrest
Celebrate the season with the music of many different cultures! Join ethnomusicologist Yale Strom and members of the Hot Pstromi Ensemble for a night that will include a truly diverse range of music, from Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here” to the Kurdish folk melody “Zivistane” (In Winter).
- December 22 & 23 – Motown & Mistletoe / Lou Lou’s, North Park
A fun run through Phil Spector’s iconic 1963 album, A Christmas Gift for You, mixing his legendary “Wall of Sound” with Motown magic, featuring songs from the labels classic Christmas albums. You’ll hear tunes originally by The Ronettes, The Supremes, Darlene Love and more.
- December 31 – The Farmers Irish New Years / Hooley’s Rancho, El Cajon
Celebrate New Years Eve twice! Kicking off at 2 p.m., countdown at 4 p.m., Ireland time, a raucous celebration with several sets of superb barroom rock ‘n’ roll from legendary combo The Farmers, including the finest version of “Wooly Bully” you are ever likely to hear.
- December 31 – Mindi Abair’s Wine & Jazz New Year’s Eve / Loew’s Resort, Coronado
A classy night out for jazz aficionados includes dinner and a show, featuring Mindi Abair, Richard Elliot, Daria Biancardi, DW3, Marcus Anderson, and Erin Stevenson.
- December 31 – The Toga Party Band / Humphrey’s Backstage Live, Shelter Island
A fun themed cover band to bring in the New Years with. Dressed in Roman togas, complete with laurels and stage columns, this combo has a set list full of crowd pleasers, covering everything from Outkast to Rick Springfield. And yes, they play “Shout,” as heard in the 1978 John Belushi comedy, Animal House.
