The middle of the month events, and they don’t disappoint.
FRIDAY –
I’ve seen MACY GRAY a few times. One of those times, she implored the crowd to take off some of their clothes. And most of them did. It was nuts. Her voice isn’t for everyone, but I dig her funky vibe. She’ll be at the Magnolia Performing Arts Center in EL CAJON.
Local sax legend KARL DENSON and his TINY UNIVERSE will be at the Belly Up Tavern in SOLANA BEACH on Friday and Saturday night.
There’s an interesting double-billing at Humphrey’s by the Bay in SHELTER ISLAND. It’s acoustic singer/songwriter SHAWN COLVIN and KEB’ MO’. He’s done a couple of bluesy records with Taj Mahal and I’m guessing we’ll hear a lot of tracks from that.
Oscar-nominated actress and singer LESLIE ANN WARREN (Victor/Victoria) will be in town showing her movie “Clue” and talking about it, at the Epstein Family Amphitheater in LA JOLLA.
For fans of tribute acts, you’ve got The Beatles “Ticket to Ride” in SAN MARCOS, Geezer and Metaliachi DOWNTOWN, and Stevie Wonder in SAN DIEGO.
SATURDAY –
If you’re looking for something to do with the whole family, there will be live music, food vendors, and lots of lemonade, at the 28th ANNUAL LEMON FESTIVAL in Chula Vista. It’s a free event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
I think it’s bizarre when there are tribute bands of acts that are still around, but SMOOTH OPERATOR is doing their Sade thang, in SAN MARCOS.
If you want to see the real deal when it comes to smooth jazz, DAVE KOZ & FRIENDS will be at the Thornton Winery in TEMECULA on Saturday and Sunday.
If you like ‘90s bands, you “can’t be wrong” if you go to PETCO PARK to see the SPIN DOCTORS, GIN BLOSSOMS, and BLUES TRAVELER.
Alice in Chains guitarist JERRY CANTRELL can be observed at the Observatory in NORTH PARK.
SUNDAY –
CYNTHIA ERIVO got even bigger when she did “Wicked” and got a bit of controversy around her when she was cast in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Well, she’s bringing her amazing vocals to play with the SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY at the Rady Shell DOWNTOWN.
If you’re downtown and you want laughs, Comedy Central comedian AMY SILVERBERG will be at the Mad House Comedy Club.
Streaming:
Alien: Earth from Fargo series creator Noah Hawley premieres August 12 on Hulu and FX. This show is in the “Alien” universe, so you’ve been warned!
And Just Like That … Carrie Bradshaw and Company are back with Season 3. August 14 on HBO Max.
A remake of John Grisham’s legal thriller, The Rainmaker, premieres August 15 on USA (via Sling or Fubo)
AT THE MOVIES, there’s a lot to choose from.
NOBODY 2 is the big movie opening this weekend. Bob Odenkirk plays a regular guy that has a special set of skills (I know that’s Liam’s line, but all these goofy movies are the same). He just wants to take his family on a vacation to a cheesy waterpark, but bullies push around his son. The other kid has a tough guy dad (John Ortiz, who I loved so much in “American Fiction.”). Oh, and Christopher Lloyd shows up looking like Hunter S. Thompson and always chompin’ a cigar. And, we’re all supposed to be entertained because the water park gets set up with various booby traps. Oh, and Sharon Stone was cast to play the big, bad drug kingpin that is so crazy, she’ll just do goofy dances for no reason, and slit the throats of her own people at the drop of a hat. You’re not once intimidated watching her. Nepo baby Colin Hanks plays an idiotic, dirty sheriff. This is going on my “worst of the year” list, but…these John Wick style films appeal to people, that’s why they keep making them. I will give them credit for using the Jo Jo Gunne song “Run, Run, Run” a band that has music’s most underrated performer ever – Jay Ferguson – who most probably know for his hit “Thunder Island” or doing the theme song to the show “The Office.” I’d rather be writing a review of Ferguson’s body of work than this crappy movie. 0 stars.
A couple of scary movies getting some buzz that didn’t disappoint…
TOGETHER is getting good reviews from the critics, but audiences seem to be mixed. I think that’s because audiences wanted a horror movie with jump scares. This is more of a slow burn, and it works. Real life married couple Dave Franco and Allison Brie move to a cabin in the woods (that should’ve been their first sign there’d be trouble). When they go hiking they get caught in a cave during a storm. It has weird symbols from a church that used to be in the area, and as the days go by, they realize they keep sticking to each other. That could be when they kiss, or when they’re holding hands (and…yes, it goes in that direction too, which made many in the theater cringe). The third act really makes the movie stick its landing (no pun intended). 3 stars out of 5.
WEAPONS is the better scary movie. Fans and critics are loving it, and it could possibly make my Top 10 of the year. A lot of reviews unfortunately had spoilers. I’ll write things that don’t spoil anything.
The acting is terrific – Josh Brolin, Amy Madigan, and Julia Garner especially. The story is also told the way “Jackie Brown” was. We see all these kids from one classroom run out of their homes at 2:17 in the morning and disappear. We watch one character trying to get answers, and after his segment, we get to see the teacher, and how she’s dealing with things (the town thinking she’s involved, her car being vandalized, etc.). Then we see the little boy, who was the one kid in the classroom that didn’t disappear, and how he’s handling everything. There are a few other characters we get stories from, and each reveals a bit more about what is unfolding, and it’s fascinating. One of the things I loved is the sharp writing. For example, Benedict Wong who plays the principal, in his various scenes. When Brolin’s character is telling him all the stuff he’s found out about the teacher, his responses are perfect. It feels like something an intelligent person would say. When Brolin starts barking at the police chief, that guy doesn’t just shout at him and say, “We got 20 investigators on this! Get out of my office.” No. He’s actually caring, albeit stern, in his responses. There’s also a lot of comic relief, surprisingly. One of those involves a tweaker that’s a petty thief. The movie is rather gory in places, so perhaps it’s not for everyone. But that 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes is accurate. This is a smart, fun picture. 4 stars out of 5.