SAN DIEGO – Folks looking for a free day of fun in the sun will want to check out the Birdstock Music Festival on Oct. 25 in Bird Rock.
The day’s activities include the first Halloween Pup Parade for costumed canines, a kids and family area featuring The San Diego Air & Space Museum’s Mission Control mobile classroom, and plenty of music.
The event hosts five stages with an impressive talent lineup, featuring more than two dozen performers, topped by headliner reggae favorites Sandollar. Other highlights include country singer Lissa Dee, ’80s vintage rockers, The Voices and singer-songwriter Caroline Lobbin – a great way to celebrate the Bird Rock community.
Birdstock Music Festival: Saturday, Oct. 25, 5500-5700 La Jolla Boulevard, Bird Rock. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free. birdstockmusicfestival.com.
RECOMMENDED
What’s in a name? Former Members of Oingo Boingo is cumbersome, but descriptive. With frontman and songwriter Danny Elfman long since departed, new wave/ska combo Oingo Boingo’s remaining members have regrouped for a greatest hits set sure to please even the band’s biggest die-hard listeners. Now featuring singer Brendan McCreary, Former Members of Oingo Boingo’s complex, uptempo songs, such as “Weird Science” and “Deadman’s Party,” are performed with a manic energy that promises to keep their audience on their feet for most of the show. Making this concert a must for fans of 1980s music, opening the night will be two more of the decade’s hitmakers, Dramarama (“Last Cigarette”) and The Untouchables (“Free Yourself”).
Former Members of Oingo Boingo: Saturday, Oct. 25, at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7 p.m. $96 – $112. humphreysconcerts.com.
WARRIOR FOUNDATION FREEDOM STATION MUSIC FESTIVAL
Blues fans won’t want to miss the 11th Annual Warrior Foundation Freedom Station Music Festival, taking place at Humphreys Backstage Live on Oct. 26. It’s a wonderful opportunity to take in music from five of the area’s top performers, with money raised going to help fund “Freedom Stations” in San Diego, giving local ill and injured veterans access to transitional housing while they heal and prepare for their next chapter. On hand will be a terrific bill featuring The Band of Gringos, Blame Betty, The Sea Monks, Zavalla Sol and Mercedes Moore, the latter being the recipient of the 2024 San Diego Music Award for “Best Jazz Vocalist.” Blues aficionados will love every second of this event, with the bonus of it also being a great way to give back to service members.
11th Annual Warrior Foundation Freedom Station Music Festival: Sunday, Oct. 26 at Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 2 to 7 p.m. $20. humphreysbackstagelive.com.
DISCOVERY SERIES
Classical music doesn’t get much of a spotlight these days, but the La Jolla Music Society is hoping to change that with its Discovery Series concerts, taking place at Baker Baum Hall. Featuring acclaimed young artists from around the world, on Oct. 26, the venue hosts Swiss-based pianist Dmitry Shishkin, winner of the 2018 Geneva International Music Competition. The night’s program will include works from the likes of Bach, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff, but anyone who enjoys gifted piano playing will find much to enjoy at this performance.
Dmitry Shishkin: Sunday, Oct. 26 at The Baker Baum Concert Hall, The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 3 p.m. $48 – $75. theconrad.org.
JASON MRAZ
Just back from a sold-out European tour, singer-songwriter Jason Mraz headlines two homecoming shows at The Sound on Oct. 28 and 30. One of the greatest performers to ever reside in the area, it’s been three decades since Mraz’s first concerts at Java Joe’s in Ocean Beach. He remains a captivating performer and sets a high standard for other singer-songwriters following in his wake. Mraz hasn’t released new music since 2023’s album, “Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride,” so fans can expect a set list at these shows built around his best-known earlier songs, including “I’m Yours,” “Lucky” and “I Won’t Give Up.”
Jason Mraz: Tuesday and Thursday, Oct. 28 and 30, at The Sound, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. 7:30 p.m. $89. thesoundsd.com.
LAUREL CANYON REVIVAL
Inspired by the music created in the Laurel Canyon area of Los Angeles during the late 1960s and early 1970s, the five-piece Laurel Canyon Revival group performs at Tio Leo’s on Nov. 5. A lot of great artists lived in that storied canyon, responsible for several juke boxes worth of singles during that time frame and LCR showcases their biggest hits, including songs by the likes of the Eagles, Linda Rondstaft, Carole King, The Doors, Jackson Browne and many others. Anyone who appreciates classic rock will be singing along to just about every song at this show.
Laurel Canyon Revival: Wednesday, Nov. 5 at Tio Leo’s, 6333 Mission Gorge Road. 7 p.m. $10. tioleos.com.
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