Comic-Con has taken over downtown, and sprinkled among our regular shows and clubs, several venues have integrated the Con into their lineups. The listings are extensive, but when you're ready to get out of the Gaslamp, head to the Casbah for a show that will tickle your eardrums. Tim Heidecker of The Tim & Eric Show headlines with JP Inc. and locals Optiganally Yours. The latter band features Rob Crow of Pinback and his Optigan, a nearly extinct instrument that stored sounds on optical discs. There will also be a screening of Antarctic...Huh?, a comedic saga from some local filmmakers. Of course there are other goodies around town, including the always hilarious Air Guitar Regionals at Soda Bar and the sold-out Willie Nelson show at the Belly Up. There is too much going on to take it all in, so find an event or three and enjoy what you can.
Thursday, July 12:
- #SDCC Impose presents Tim Heidecker, JP Inc, Optiganally Yours @ Casbah
- #SDCC Patton Oswalt @ Spreckels
- Casbah presents U.S. Air Guitar Championships @ Soda Bar
- #SDCC Stan Lee's Comikaze Comic-Con @ Spin (9 p.m. - 5 a.m.)
- #SDCC Comi-Con Kickoff Party featuring P-Trix, Cros1, Norm Rockwell, Daeta @ El Dorado
- #SDCC wOOtstock 4.0 with Adam Savage, Wil Wheaton, Paul and Storm @ Balboa Theatre
- #SDCC The Tournament of Nerds @ Bayfront Park (6 p.m., free, open to the public)
- #SDCC The Meltdown Live with Kumail Nanjiani, Paul Scheer, Rob Huebel, Jordan Morris, and special surprise guests to be announced @ Bayfront Park (7 p.m., free, open to the public)
- Willie Nelson and Family @ Belly Up (sold out)
- Shoreline, Taylor Mosley & Kevin Mikolich, Lord Randolph & the Duke of Filth @ Tin Can
- Janka Nabay & the Bubu Gang @ Bar Pink
- #SDCC Dawn of the Con Fan Experience with Rob Zombie @ Petco Park (5:30-11 p.m.)
- 3D Friends, Dr. Eggs, Delinda, TBA @ Eleven
- Her Crimson Love, the Young Rapscallions, Misc. Ailments, Red Matter @ The Griffin
- Diamond is Forever @ Anthology
- Jonathan Fleig, Black Market III, Vinny and Skinny, Lillian LeFranc & the Proper Villians @ Ruby Room
- #SDCC So Say We All presents the Crazy Rattlesnake Treehouse Gang: A Live Comics Reading @ Space 4 Art (325 15th St, East Village, 7:30 p.m., no badge required)
- The Wiggles @ Valley View Casino Center
- Cathryn Beeks presents HomeGrown @ The Go Lounge (7123 El Cajon Blvd.)
- Breanna Lynn, Charlie Gore, the Eddie Gray Band @ Lestat's
- #SDCC Mynt Thursdays featuring Don Lynch & DJ Dynamiq (Cosplay Comic-Con Kickoff Party) @ 207 Club, Hard Rock Hotel (RSVP to mark@MarkRondeauPresents.com by 6 p.m. day of event for guest list before 11 p.m.)
- King Legend, Deadly Birds, the Indians @ Winston's
- Triptides, St. Ranger, KIDS @ Park Gallery
- Gary Lewis & the Playboys @ Casino Pauma
- Le Spank @ The Office
- #SDCC POP Thursday Goes Comic Crazy featuring DJ Gabe Vega, costume contest, comic portraites, Sin City screening, live body painting, photography and more @ MOPA (Museum of Photographic Arts, Balboa Park, 1649 El Prado, 7-10 p.m.)
- #SDCC Deathsquad Super Show @ American Comedy Co
- Soulection @ Kava Lounge
- Helen Reddy @ Croce's (6:30 p.m.)
- Poolside Film Series featuring Caddy Shack @ Lafayette Hotel (7:30 p.m.)
- Bill Magee Blues band @ Patrick's Gaslamp Pub
- Gilbert Castellanos & the New Latin Jazz Quintet @ Croce's
- Moonlight Serenade Orchestra @ The Lucky Star Restaurant (54th & University)
- Ristband @ Humphreys Backstage Live
- iParty Thursdays @ Henry's Pub
- Club '80s @ Club Kadan
- Missy Andersen @ Marble Room
- Soul Opus @ Gallagher's Pub
- Helicopter Showdown @ Voyeur
- Designer Drugs, Rebecca & Fiona @ Fluxx
- Dave Booda Trio @ Tiki House
- Traxx @ Coyote Bar & Grill
- Seedless, Irieside @ Typhoon Saloon
- Keith Murray, Solicit, Travisty One @ Stage Bar & Grill
- Le Spank @ The Office
- Hazmatt @ Hennessey's Carlsbad
- Live Band Karaoke @ 710 Beach Club
Rosemary Bystrak writes about the San Diego music scene, events and general musings about life in San Diego on San Diego: Dialed In. Follow her updates on Twitter or contact her directly.
