SAN DIEGO – San Diego’s biggest summertime party, Tiki Oasis, celebrates its 25th anniversary from Aug. 6-10 at the Town and Country Resort.
A fully immersive event spotlighting Tiki culture, with pool parties, costume contests, island sounds, educational seminars, burlesque shows, art displays, and much more, it’s five days of non-stop fun.
There will be plenty of great music on hand from the likes of The Bomboras, The Loons and Jason Hanna, but Sunday night’s closing concert, featuring iconic New York guitarist Lenny Kaye, promises to be extra special.
Kaye will be performing classic 1960s garage rock songs from his curated 1973 “Nuggets” album, joined by Johnny Echols of ’60s legends, Love, and a host of acclaimed San Diego singers, including Ron Silva (The Crawdaddys), Deke Dickerson, and El Vez.
Tiki Oasis: Wednesday to Sunday, Aug. 6-10 at the Town and Country Resort, 500 Hotel Circle, 10 a.m. to late. TikiOasis.com.
Recommended
There are plenty of great blues guitar players in San Diego, but Robin Henkel is in a league of his own. Performing at the La Jolla Community Center on Aug. 1 as part of the free lunchtime concert series, Henkel is a virtuoso in acoustic blues, fully embodying the music. A manic performer, his shows are engaging and a master class on the blues in general, with Henkel being one of the most entertaining folks you’ll ever come across, regardless of genre.
Robin Henkel: Friday, Aug. 1, at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Noon. Free. All ages. ljcommunitycenter.org.
Concerts on the Green
Dirty Bird is performing at Concerts on the Green on Aug. 3, but attendees will want to get there a little early to catch a special opening set from guitarist Jeff Bloom. A lifelong PB resident, Bloom may not yet be a household name, but it’s certainly not for lack of trying.
One of the linchpins of San Diego’s music community over the past 40 years, Bloom will spotlight his new “Best Of” album at the show, with a mix of rock and reggae that will make a perfect soundtrack to an afternoon at one of San Diego’s most beautiful parks.
Jeff Bloom: Sunday, Aug. 3, Concerts on the Green at Kate Sessions Park, 5115 Soledad Road. 4 p.m. All ages. No cover. pbtowncouncil.org.
Concerts by the Sea
The La Jolla Concerts by the Sea music series closes out strong on Aug. 3 with a dance party headlined by Full Strength. The horn-driven funk, soul, and R&B group is sure to get attendees up on their feet, with a show based on the old touring soul revues, meaning no breaks between songs, and hard-driving energy throughout.
Featuring a set list full of dance floor favorites, including tunes by the likes of Rick James, Chic, and The Ohio Players, it’s almost a shame Scripps Park doesn’t have a dance floor for this event.
Full Strength: Sunday, Aug. 3 at La Jolla Concerts by the Sea, Scripps Park at La Jolla Cove. 3:30 p.m. All ages. Free. ljconcertsbythesea.org.
Heart
One of the biggest bands of the ’70s and ’80s, Heart, performs at Pechanga Arena on Aug. 13. Still fronted by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, both of whom were born in San Diego, the show will be a greatest hits affair, featuring nothing but the bands biggest crowd-pleasers such as “Barracuda,” “Crazy On You,” and “Magic Man.”
Making the show a must for fans of classic rock, opening the night will be none other than famed hitmaker/producer Todd Rundgren, who will add such favorites as “Hello It’s Me,” and “I Saw The Light” to the proceedings.
Heart: Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., 7:30 p.m. pechangaarenasd.com.
Humphreys Backstage Live
Two of San Diego’s most promising performers, surf rockers The Tourmaliners and island pop chanteuse, Kela Sako, join forces for a new single on Pacific Records and a release show at Humphreys Backstage Live on Aug. 14. The collaboration, featuring the band backing Sako on two songs, has yielded a 7-inch red vinyl 45 that honors San Diego’s music history, with a cover of Rosie & The Originals 1960 single, “Angel Baby,” on the A-side, backed with Kyu Sakamoto’s immortal 1963 hit, “Sukiyaki.” Fans of instrumental rock and 1960s era sounds will enjoy every second of this show.
The Tourmaliners & Kela Sako: Thursday, Aug. 14 at Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7:30 p.m. humphreysbackstagelive.com.
