Arts & Entertainment
East County Nightlife: These Aren't the Events You're Looking For
Your Patch guide to East County nightlife, July 21-24.
If you haven’t noticed, something pretty major is going on this weekend, and if you didn’t know better, you might think it was a surprisingly polite alien invasion, or something akin to Woody Allen’s The Purple Rose of Cairo, in which fictional characters from across the sci-fi, fantasy and superhero spectrum pop out of their own world to inhabit ours. Odds are, you aren't before they sold out in a matter of hours, so if I may direct your attention eastward …
You want celebrity sightings? Sycuan Casino will feature a country music icon in their showcase theater. You want informative panels? The La Mesa library will host an award-winning author to discuss her latest book. You want hours worth of Facebook-post-worthy people watching? El Cajon has … well, El Cajon.
So for those thinking of joining the hoards downtown this weekend, with tickets or without, (hand swipe) these aren’t the events you’re looking for. You can go about your business—move along.
Find out what's happening in Santeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
THURSDAY
Where/when: Friendly Grounds Coffeehouse, 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee, 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Find out what's happening in Santeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Why Go: A major turning point in any artistic journey is when an artist takes his or her work out of the comfortable fortress of the mind and into the unpredictable presence of an audience. If you’re finally ready to show the world your musical talent, throw your name in the hat for a 15-minute open mic spot (sign-up starts at 5:45 p.m.) at Friendly Grounds.
Price: Free.
Where/when: La Mesa Community Library, 8074 Allison Ave., La Mesa, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Why Go: No funds for an island getaway this summer? Sometimes the next best thing to experiencing something yourself is experiencing it vicariously through others who have been there, so let Bette Blaydes Pegas, winner of Best Travel Book at the 2010 San Diego Book Awards, take you on a mental tour of the Galapagos Islands as she discusses her book Chasing a Dream in the Galapagos: a Personal Evolution.
Price: Free.
Where/when: Berry Street Park, 7071 Mt. Vernon St., Lemon Grove, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Why Go: They call themselves “San Diego’s premier country band,” but don’t take their word for it—Three Chord Justice won the 2010 Big Country Showdown sponsored by San Diego’s longtime country radio station KSON. Check them out at Lemon Grove's series.
Price: Free.
THE BILL MAGEE BLUES BAND/LEN RAINEY & THE MIDNIGHT PLAYERS
Where/when: Town Center Community Park East, Park Center Drive and Riverwalk Drive, Santee, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Why Go: Get a double dose of the blues this Thursday during Santee's , as local favorites the Bill Magee Blues Band and Len Rainey & the Midnight Players inject a little sadness in your soul (but in a good way).
Price: Free.
FRIDAY
FANDANGO
Where/when: Prescott Promenade, Main Street and Magnolia Avenue, El Cajon, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Why Go: The temperatures may be soaring, but that only makes for a great night of dancing to live music as the sun goes down. El Cajon’s series will feature classic rock cover band Fandango this week, and really, who can’t shake a leg to classic rock?
Price: Free.
Where/when: Viejas Casino V Lounge, 5000 Willows Rd., Alpine, 8 p.m. to midnight Friday.
Why Go: Retro is hip again, as evidenced by the current popularity of 1960s-set TV shows like Mad Men. Whether you’re just joining the trend or have actual nostalgia for one of the most colorful decades in U.S. history, you’re welcome to immerse yourself in the Motown stylings of the Corvelles.
Price: Free.
SATURDAY
Where/when: Sycuan Showcase Theatre, 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon, 6 and 8:30p.m. Saturday.
Why Go: Before Taylor, before Britney, and even before Tiffany, there was Tanya Tucker—a country superstar who, despite skyrocketing up the charts at the young age of 13, has remained a country music icon over the decades.
Price: $25-$35.
SUNDAY
Where/when: Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden St., La Mesa, 6 p.m. Sunday.
Why Go: Local bebop and “cool jazz” band Jazz West closes out the concert series for the season, so if you haven’t had the pleasure of relaxing on the iconic stone steps of the park’s outdoor amphitheatre, this weekend is your last chance.
Price: Free.
