Arts & Entertainment
East County Nightlife: Gluttony Training 101
Your Patch guide to East County nightlife, Nov. 17-19.
The time is upon us. That day that comes around once a year, in which it is tolerated—nay, encouraged—to stuff an ungodly volume of food down your gullet, an amount that would normally be worth at least a half a week’s worth of meals.
We all have different methods to prepare for the annual celebration of gluttony: Some fast for a few days preceding the feast; some go the opposite route and stuff themselves silly ahead of the meal, intending to stretch out their stomach; and some focus more on their body in general, hitting the gym with ferocity before (and after) the glorious meal, hoping to offset some of the damage.
But most people don’t consider the peripheral damage Thanksgiving does—not just to the body, but to the spirit. After feasting on the initial meal and then leftovers in the following days, a complete lack of motivation (a combination of tryptophan and tightened pants) takes over and turns normally lively nightlife hounds into sluggish bags of blahs. Therefore, it is imperative that anyone celebrating Thanksgiving next week (aka, all Americans—those silly Canadians celebrate it in October) hit the East County nightlife scene twice as hard this weekend, because come Friday, Nov. 25, you’ll be lucky to have the strength to shake your hips to a toilet paper commercial.
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THURSDAY
Where/when: , 9628 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee, 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Find out what's happening in Santeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Why Go: Support Santee’s ongoing mission of playing the odds—the more local venues to host open mic nights, and the more local artists that get a chance to shine, the better the chances that a Santee resident will move on to a life of fame and fortune, thus turning his or her childhood home into a landmark to bring in lots of tourist dollars.
Price: Free.
Where/when: Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Theatre, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Why Go: While a community college theater might not have the dank charm of some back-alley jazz hole, members of the Grossmont College Latin Jazz Ensemble no doubt have the same musical fire in their bellies. And if you’re still not convinced, just close your eyes and imagine a heavy cloud of cigarette smoke and the tinkling of whiskey glasses surrounding you.
Price: $8 general, $5 students and seniors.
FRIDAY
Where/when: Santee Trolley Square, 9884 Mission Gorge Rd., Santee, 5:30 p.m. Friday.
Why Go: See, even local municipalities are following the retail sector’s lead by getting a jumpstart on the holiday hoopla. Santee’s kickoff to the season will feature live music by the Bayou Brothers, product and food samples from local vendors, horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating, plus the lighting of the 20-foot tree (by magic wand, no less).
Price: Free admission.
Where/when: , 7662 Broadway, Lemon Grove, 9 p.m. Friday.
Why Go: The weather might be getting a little chillier at night, so why not spend an evening heating up to the sounds of FX5, a local cover band that specializes in current and classic hits. For a cozy bonus, order something warm and boozy from the bar, like Irish coffee or a Hot Toddy (do they even make those anymore?).
Price: Free.
Where/when: , 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday.
Why Go: Tie your hair up in a bandanna, shine up your saddle shoes, and get ready to get down with local rockabilly/swing band The Stilettos. Even if retro fashion isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the band’s unique slice of Americana with a modern twist.
Price: Free.
SATURDAY
Where/when: Elite Gymnastics Academy, 1817 John Towers Ave., El Cajon, 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Why Go: Despite many assumptions in the general media, nightlife is not just for singles. Married couples, especially those with kids, need the occasional break from parental responsibility. If babysitters are hard to come by, or you’d rather entrust your kids to a reputable authority, feel free to drop off your little joys of life (age 4 and up) at Elite Gymnastics Academy while you go to a movie, a fancy restaurant, or just back to your house to chill on the couch alone for a few hours.
Price: $15.
Where/when: , 8278 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, 7 p.m. Saturday.
Why Go: Imagine if James Taylor and Jim Croce had a child and passed down their genetic talent to him. OK, so that’s not biologically possible, but maybe they could adopt a kid and raise him in a rich musical environment, but that wouldn’t be the same thing and it’s getting a bit off topic. Whew. Anyhow, Nathan Welden allegedly possesses the best qualities of both—sans genetics—so classic folk fans would be wise to check him out.
Price: Free.
Where/when: Viejas V Lounge, 5000 Willows Rd., Alpine, 8 p.m. to midnight Friday.
Why Go: Unless you’re one of those dwindling few who believe Elvis didn’t actually die, and is instead living in a retirement home and killing the undead in his spare time (or not, whatever), Elvis “tributes” are the closest you’re going to get to the magic of the King. Master tribute artist James Kruk covers three decades of hits, from the 1950s through the 1970s.
Price: Free.
