Contemporary Hawaiian music, a high-end Elvis impersonator, Mardi Gras in Ocean Beach, a Valentine’s Day love jam special, and the Squirrel Nut Zippers to round it all out: Here’s what this week in music looks like in San Diego.
Kalani Pe’a
Hawaiian singer-songwriter Kalani Pe’a will take the stage at The Baker Baum Concert Hall on Feb. 15. Pe’a is at the forefront of the current thriving Hawaiian music scene, scoring numerous awards, including four Grammys for his five albums to date. Currently touring in support of his latest release, Kuini, Pe’s is blessed with a sweet, resonating voice perfectly matched to his mix of traditional and original tunes.
This matinee show will also feature traditional Polynesian dances, making it a must for anyone who enjoys island sounds.
- Kalani Pe‘a: Sunday, Feb. 15 at The Baker Baum Concert Hall at Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 3 p.m. $45.
Super Love Jam
Valentines Super Love Jam ’26, taking place on Feb. 13 at Pechanga Arena, brings together eight R&B stars of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. On hand will be Blackstreet, Baby Bash, Frankie J, MC Magic, Rose Royce, the OG Mary Jane Girls (Maxi and Cheri), Heatwave, and The Floaters. One of the night’s early highlights will likely be Heatwave’s rendition of “The Groove Line,” with its audience participation chorus, but R&B fans will find much to appreciate at this concert.
With short sets built around each artist’s greatest hits, the night will be a veritable live jukebox full of vintage classics.
- Valentines Super Love Jam ’26: Friday, Feb. 13 at Pechanga Arena, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd. 7:30 p.m. $61 and up.
The Holding Company
Local country music is going through a strong revival at the moment, with lots of emerging talent well worth hearing. Three of the best, Elizabeth Bowersox, Lissa Dee, and the Croome Bros., aka Patric and Liam of Daring Greatly, join forces for a show at The Holding Company on Feb. 13.
It’s a great bill. Bowersox is beginning to draw national attention with her hook-filled singles, such as “California Queen,” while Dee is penning radio-friendly tunes such as “Chasing Whiskey with Whiskey,” and starting to tour nationally.
Opening the night will be the Croomes Brothers, with a terrific mix of vocal harmony-driven originals and covers. Whether you enjoy line dancing, twangy guitars, or crying in your beer ballads, this one’s got you covered.
- Elizabeth Bowersox: Friday, Feb. 13 at The Holding Company, 5046 Newport Ave, 7:30 p.m. $10.
Live Music Showcase
Singer-songwriter Jeff Ousley hosts a four-band Live Music Showcase at Humphreys Backstage Live on Feb. 19. The monthly concert series features a cross-section of San Diego talent, with this month’s concert set to include SYLTR, The Jamacha Project, The Lunar Conspiracy, and Fight Naked.
All are well worth hearing, but the nod here goes to The Jamacha Project, who specialize in Crosby, Stills, and Nash-type harmonies and melodies, as heard on such songs as “I Will Carry Your Dream.”
These showcases are a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys local music to discover new performers.
- Jeff Ousley’s Live Music Showcase: Thursday, Feb. 19 at Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., Shelter Island. 6 p.m. $5.
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras comes to Ocean Beach on Feb. 15 for a special matinee event at Winstons. It’s an impressive bill, topped by local legends The Farmers, and also including cumbia/rockabilly hybrid The Sleepwalkers, Irish roots rockers Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas, and New Orleans-inspired funk, ska, and blues combo Chunky Hustle Brass Band (CHuBB).
All four groups are great fun, but The Sleepwalkers mix of Latin dance rhythms and bluesy rock ‘n’ roll is hard to beat on the dancefloor, with guitarist Ritchie Orduno’s solos never failing to impress.
- OB Mardi Gras: Sunday, Feb. 15 at Winstons, 1921 Bacon St., 3 p.m. $20.
Squirrel Nut Zippers
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of their platinum selling album, “Hot,” the Squirrel Nut Zippers play at Music Box on Feb. 14. Mixing 1930s jazz, swing, punk, and rockabilly might not seem like a recipe for mainstream success, but the Squirrel Nut Zippers have built a fervent following through high energy performances and music that’s perfect for swing dancers and uptempo jazz fans alike.
The night’s set list will focus on songs from the album, making this a dream gig for their longtime listeners. Opening the show will be award-winning local singer-songwriter Gregory Page, warming up before a North American tour with Jason Mraz later this spring.
- Squirrel Nut Zippers: Saturday, Feb. 14 at Music Box, 1337 India St., 8 p.m. $50.
The Loons
Just back from a tour of Spain, The Loons make an appearance at The Casbah on Feb. 14. First releasing music circa 1996, The Loons have long since established themselves as one of San Diego’s finest musical exports, with a sound that includes touches of ’60s era garage rock and psychedelia amongst its influences. The band is led by singer and noted author, Mike Stax, and features Anja Stax (bass), Chris Cancelliere (drums), Chris Marsteller (guitar), and Marc Schroeder (guitar).
The Loons are a powerhouse live group, all excellent performers, particularly Stax, who owns any stage he steps out on. The band is heading into the studio soon to start work on album No. 6. In the meantime, fans won’t want to miss this homecoming show.
- The Loons: Saturday, Feb. 14 at The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd. 8:30 p.m. $16.
Sandpiper Ensemble
The eight-piece Sandpiper Ensemble will offer up a soundtrack to an evening out when they perform at Panama 66 on Feb. 15 as part of their monthly third Sunday residency. The group specializes in instrumental music, influenced by a mix of sounds that include Morricone’s spaghetti western film compositions, surf rock, spy riffs, Latin rhythms, jazz, and world music, the result not unlike the soundtrack to a vintage movie.
Set in Balboa Park’s beautiful sculpture garden, this is an ideal match of band and venue for a night out.
- Sandpiper Ensemble: Sunday, Feb. 15 at Panama 66/Copley Hall, 1450 El Prado. 5 p.m. No cover.
Belly Up
Founding member of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, Jorma Kaukonen returns to the Belly Up Tavern for a show on Feb. 17. The epitome of the word “troubadour,” Kaukonen is a gifted guitarist, his finger picking style first heard by the general public on the Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 album, “Surrealistic Pillow,” via his own song, “Embryonic Journey.”
While he does mix in a handful of songs from his storied past in current shows, this concert will primarily feature a mix of originals and interpretations of tunes by favorite writers of his, such as Steve Earle and Townes Van Zandt. Music fans won’t want to miss this audience with one of the architects of the Bay Area’s famed 1960s psychedelic era.
- Jorma Kaukonen: Tuesday, Feb. 17 at the Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave. 8 p.m. $50 and up.
Dean Z
There are Elvis Presley impersonators, and then there’s Dean Z, in a class of his own. Appearing at the Balboa Theatre on Feb. 18, Dean Z is the closest thing to the King you’re likely to find, sounding and looking so close to the real deal it’s uncanny. Best of all, though he does perform clad in Elvis’s signature 1970s era white jumpsuits in the show, Dean Z uses changing backdrops and costume changes to tell the whole story.
In the course of the night’s set list, Dean Z goes from Presley’s gold lamé rockabilly beginnings and his soundtrack days to songs from his 1968 TV special — black leather jumpsuit included — showing Presley’s musical progression along the way. Elvis fans will love every second of this concert.
- Dean Z The Ultimate Elvis: Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., 7:30 p.m. $49.
