One of Pacific beach’s finest traditions, Concerts on the Green, returns to Kate Sessions Park, for the 13th year. Running on consecutive Sundays through Aug. 9, the event will feature Liz Grace & The Swing Thing (July 26), The Stoney B Blues Band (Aug. 2) and The Siers Brothers (Aug. 9). The series kicks off on July 19 with a performance from Latin jazz combo The Quineteto Caballero. Led by trumpeter Bill Caballero, the band performs original tunes as well as covers of traditional salsa, and Brazilian music. Perfect for dancing or just enjoying the rhythms in the breeze, it all adds up to a great soundtrack for an afternoon at one of the most scenic locations in San Diego.
Quinteto Caballero: Sunday July 19, at Concerts on the Green, Kate Sessions Park. 4 p.m. All Ages. Free. www.pbconcerts.org. The most unique spot to take in sounds this summer? It’s easily the nightly concerts taking place aboard the Bahia Belle, cruising the waters of Mission Bay. It’s family friendly fun until 9:30 pm, when it becomes a 21-and-up floating nightclub. There are multiple entertainment choices depending on the night, from DJs to acoustic duos to classic rock bands. With docking stops every half hour, food and drink and a cover price of only $10, it’s a great date night. Upcoming dates include Slower (July 22), Private Domain (July 28) and DJ Royale (July 30), but no matter what night you choose, nothing compares to the views of the San Diego skyline from the water. Bahia Belle: Daily, at the Bahia Resort, 998 West Mission Bay Drive. 9:30 p.m. 21 and up. www.catamaranresort.com. Jazz aficionados looking for a relaxing Sunday afternoon happening should investigate Sounds Like Four, who perform at Café Bar Europa every Sunday at 5 p.m. Mixing up originals and standards, the combo works up tasty sounds just right for winding down the weekend before starting the work week. The Café is an intimate location for music, with a wonderfully eclectic booking policy heavy on world music, jazz and blues, if you haven’t stopped by yet, a set of tunes from Sounds Like Four on a warm San Diego Sunday is the perfect excuse. Sounds Like 4: Sundays at Café-Bar Europa, 873 Turqouise St. 5 p.m. 21 and up. www.theturquoise.com. San Diego is getting its own major music festival this summer, with Kaboo, set for Sept. 18-20, at the San Diego County Fairgrounds. While the main attraction will be the national acts, there will be a number of local performers included in the mix as well. On July 19, Brick by Brick will host a special concert, featuring artists hoping to earn a spot at the event. It will be a tough call, with sets from area notables Raelee Nikole, Tolan Shaw, Hocus, Brad Perry & the Acoustic Fingerprints. All are worthy performers so we won’t pick our favorites here, but if you want to help your favorite make it to the big stage, come on down to this concert and show your support. Kaboo Contest: Sunday, July 19 at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 8 p.m. 21 and up. www.brickbybrick.com. If you like the blues, be sure to check out guitarist Nathan James, performing at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 23 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. An incendiary player who has performed with the likes of James Harman, Kim Wilson and Billy Boy Arnold, James is as adept on the harmonica as he is on the six string making him a double threat for fans of Americana or roots rock. He released two albums on the same date late last year, both quite good. But bands like James need to be heard live, where the interplay of the musicians and the response of the audience combine to make a unique experience.
Nathan James: Thursday, July 23 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St.. 9 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.tioleos.com Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge hosts a rare indie rock concert on July 25, with a performance from rock en Espanol favorites Los Hollywood. It’s an early show, with a 5 p.m. start time, ending by 8 p.m., but anyone who enjoys new wave, powerpop, mod or indie rock love every second of their set. The band sings in both Spanish and English, but no translation is really needed. Their latest single, “Hasta Manana” is a jangle pop gem that hits all the right notes in any language. Los Hollywood: Saturday, July 25, at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, 5 p.m. humphreysbackstagelive.com