Community Corner
East County Nightlife: June 21 My Foot—Summer’s Finally Here!
Your Patch guide to East County nightlife, May 26-29.
Is there any phrase in the English language more adored by the general populace than “three-day weekend?” It causes involuntary smiles and unexpected springs in your step. It renders the week leading up to it an anticipatory lark—or sluggish torture, depending on your point of view—and the week following it an abbreviated joy.
Memorial Day weekend, one of the beloved bookends to summer along with Labor Day weekend, is traditionally the time to dust off the grill and clear the pool of spring’s debris, iron out the Hawaiian shirts and slip into a new swimsuit, and kick off the unofficial start of the season that, despite the sweltering temperatures, remains a favorite of young and old alike.
So whether it’s your prerogative to lay around in your own backyard, sipping Coronas while working on your tan, or venture out into civilization to mix and mingle with your equally smiley and springy peers, East County has quite a variety of nightlife (and daylife, for that matter) to choose from this weekend.
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THURSDAY
FOURTH THURSDAY OPEN MIC
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Where/when: Spacebar Internet Café, 7454 University Ave., Suite A, La Mesa, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday
Why Go: Is that tattered spiral notebook full of poetry just itching to be read aloud? Are your acoustic guitar skills finally ready for an audience? Or are all your jokes finally tiresome to your friends, and in need of some fresh ears? If so, then Spacebar’s Open Mic night is for you (although be sure to come prepared, so your set doesn’t resemble this).
Price: No cover.
FRIDAY
“HUMOR FOR HAITI”
Where/when: La Mesa Women’s Club, 5520 Wilson St., La Mesa, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday
Why Go: It’s not every day that a semi-celebrity graces East County with his presence—Mark Christopher Lawrence from NBC’s “Chuck” will turn laughs into donations for misfortune-wracked Haiti, hosted by the Brew Ha Ha! comedy troupe.
Price: $20 admission (includes food and two non-alcoholic drinks).
Where/when: , 9310 Fanita Parkway, Santee (Lake # 5), 3 to 7 p.m. Friday.
Why Go: East County is home to many car enthusiasts—from classic cars to muscle cars to trucks lifted so high they come dangerously close to monster truck territory. Car and lake enthusiasts alike are invited to kick off their three-day weekend with a display of cool cars from several eras, plus food, games, raffles, music and more.
Price: Free admission.
DOWNBEAT BIG BAND
Where/when: Main Street and Magnolia Avenue, El Cajon, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday
Why Go: Remember that golden era in the mid-1990s when swing and big band music enjoyed a feisty revival, only to be co-opted by its hipster cousin ska before fading back into the annals of history? If you still have a Cherry Poppin’ Daddies or Bryan Setzer Orchestra CD in your collection, come check out the Downbeat Big Band at El Cajon’s series.
Price: Free.
When/where: Ephrem Catholic Church, 750 Medford St., El Cajon, Friday through Sunday.
Why Go: This isn’t your typical church festival—sure, there will be liturgies and candlelight vigils and choir performances, but there will also be DJs, hookahs, and—diz-amn—a raffle for a brand new Mercedes Benz, in addition to live music, regional food and vendor booths.
Price: Free admission.
SATURDAY
Where/when: 101 Riverview Parkway, Santee, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday
Why Go: Is there ever a reason not to go to a street fair? Sure, most of the fun—rides, live entertainment, vendor booths—takes place during the daylight hours, but any event that features an all-day beer and wine garden can be loosely considered “nightlife” in our book.
Price: Free admission.
THE STILETTOS
Where/when: Hooley’s Rancho San Diego, 2955 Jamacha Road, Suite 21, 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday
Why Go: Cool cats and hip chicks are invited to shine up their leather jackets, slick back their hair, roll up their jean cuffs and boogie to the Stilettos’ rockabilly and swing tunes from the 50s and early 60s.
Price: No cover.
OPEN DART TOURNAMENT
Where/when: , 7662 Broadway, Lemon Grove, 2 p.m. Saturday
Why Go: If you haven’t had the chance to join one of Dirk’s dart leagues, this is your chance to introduce yourself as a dart superstar. The tournament will feature cash prizes, as well as food for participants, and the evening will cap off with a performance by Serious Guise at 9 p.m.
Price: $10 buy-in.
