Arts & Entertainment
East County Nightlife: Heat, Shmeat, Let’s Rock!
Your Patch guide to East County nightlife, Aug. 4-7.
Evidently, most of the country gripped in one of the worst heat waves in years—90-100 degree weather has halted nearly all outdoor activity, sent energy bills skyrocketing, and blanketed the population with a bad case of the “blahs.”
Here in East County, the temperature has been hitting the upper 90s during the day, barely hitting the mid-70s at night, and yet business and pleasure alike go on without interruption. We’re kind of used to it—from as early as May to as late as October, most of us expect a great deal of sweaty days and uncomfortable nights. So how do we deal with it all?
Live music in the early outdoor twilight. Psychics who can tell the future. Shakespeare. Country music and Italian beer—yeah, you got that right. We get through the days to celebrate the nights, which is why East County nightlife rocks like no other (even Saturday kicked it up a notch after reading last week’s column).
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THURSDAY
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Where/when: , 7071 Mt. Vernon St., Lemon Grove, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Why Go: Remember about 12 years ago, when everyone was freaking the heck out about Y2K? You know, stores ran low on bottled water, extra cans of gas filled garages, and “Y2K” survival pack inventors became stinking rich while about 98 percent of the world’s population just shrugged its collective shoulders? Good times. Of course, modern dance band Y3K has nothing to do with the infamous apocalypse that wasn’t, but hey, at least you can shake a leg with them.
Price: Free.
Where/when: Town Center Community Park, Santee, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Why Go: If you want to travel back to a time when there wasn’t an overblown catastrophe looming around the corner, check out The Alley Cats during Santee’s as they get the audience hopping with their own brand of 1950s doo-wop (oh wait, there was that whole cold war thing…nevermind).
Price: Free.
FRIDAY
Where/when: Main Tap Tavern, 518 E. Main St., El Cajon, 9 p.m. Friday.
Why Go: There’s more than just specificity that separates a cover band from a tribute band—cover bands just play songs they like, but tribute bands emulate musicians they love. East Coast-based Tom Petty tribute band Full Moon Fever might not be the real deal, but they’re probably as close as you’ll get without seeing the band itself in concert (saving you a pretty penny in the process).
Price: Free.
ILLIANA ROSE BAND
Where/when: Prescott Promenade, El Cajon, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Why Go: In keeping with the completely diverse theme for this weekend’s slate of outdoor concerts, the Illiana Rose Band will add some spice to the mix with her widely-renowned Latin jazz/Cuban salsa performance during El Cajon’s Series.
Price: Free.
SATURDAY
Where/when: Sycuan Casino, 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon, 6 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
Why Go: And then of course, sometimes tribute bands just aren’t necessary when the originals (for the most part) are still around whip out the hits. Original frontman Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, the British pop band that tore up the charts in the 1960s, promises a blast to the past at Sycuan this Saturday.
Price: $35-$45.
GARY SPIVEY
Where/when: Viejas Dreamcatcher, 5000 Willows Road, Alpine, 7 p.m. Saturday.
Why Go: If you could meet Nostradamus (either going back in time or bringing him to the future), what would you ask him? How the world is going to end? How you’re going to die? Where your dearly departed Granny hid all those valuable coins? Well, time travel might not be able to grant your wish, but Gary Spivey, the “Modern Day Nostradamus,” may be able to help.
Price: $20
“THE SHAKESPEARE YOU NEVER KNEW”
Where/when: Jamul Haven B&B, 13518 Jamul Dr., Jamul, 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Why Go: The Bard himself, William Shakespeare, was never one to shy away from parody, whether the subject matter was romantic relationships, class warfare or the act of writing itself. So he certainly wouldn’t take offense to James Reynolds’ parody “The Shakespeare You Never Knew,” read live during Jamul Haven’s .
Price: Free admission.
Where/when: Via Moto, 9331 Mission Gorge Rd., Santee, 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Why Go: Country music. Italian beer. Sound like a strange combination? Probably, but you can get a taste of both during Via Moto’s opening celebration on Saturday, with KSON on site offering concert ticket giveaways, plus specials on Peroni and other special events.
Price: No cover.
Where/when: The Regal Bar, 8344 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, 9 p.m. Saturday.
Why Go: Feeling down? Want to spread your blues around? The Rhythm Jacks know how you feel, and their special blend of rhythm and blues will turn your sorrow into a toe-tapping good time.
Price: Free.
SUNDAY
Where/when: Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd., Alpine, 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Why Go: Misty & The Mobys promise a “rockin’ good time,” but don’t take them on their word alone—the local San Diego band has played everywhere from the Del Mar Fair to Make-A-Wish events, famous for their incredibly high energy sets.
Price: Free.
