The local music community’s biggest annual event, the San Diego Music Awards takes place on March 11 at the House of Blues. Featuring awards in 28 categories, the night will include musical performances from punk/hip hop group Planet B, blues singer Casey Hensley, singer-songwriters Veronica May and Shane Hall, hip hop combo Vokab Kompany, indie rocker Ariel Levine and The Redwoods Collective.
Making this year’s event extra special, the Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Joe Flammini, founder of legendary coffeehouse Java Joe’s. Most recently located in Old Town, its list of addresses included Pacific Beach, where a young Jewel got her start. There will also be a performance from an all-star group of musicians who were regulars at his venue, including Jason Mraz, Billy Galewood and Jeff Berkley. All proceeds from the show go to support the Guitars In Schools program, bringing music to schools throughout the county.
San Diego Music Awards: Monday, March 11 at The House of Blues, 555 Fifth Ave. 7 p.m. 21 and up. sandiegomusicawards.com. Many school bands get to experience the excitement of live performance, but few get to experience the thrill of touring. Two such local groups will be touring soon, with benefit concerts organized to help with expenses:
On March 15, Dizzy’s will host a San Diego School of Creative Performing Arts fundraiser celebrating the music of jazz pianist and composer Duke Ellington. The night will feature the school’s Ellington Jazz Ensemble with the night’s proceeds going to help travel expenses for the band’s upcoming trip to New York where they will perform as part of the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival.
San Diego School of Creative Performing Arts Fundraiser: Friday, March 15 at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. dizzysjazz.com
Then on March 20, the Pacific Beach Women’s Club will hold a fundraising concert in order to help send the acclaimed student jazz band, The Mission Bay Preservationists, to Yokohama, Japan in April for a string of performances under the direction of JP Balmat. Headlining the benefit will be boogie woogie piano queen, Sue Palmer. A fun, vibrant performer with an encyclopedic knowledge of good music, Palmer’s recent album, “Gem’s Volume 1,” is an essential anthology that wonderfully summarizes her nearly 40 years of recording.
MBHS Japan Fundraiser: Wednesday, March 20 at Pacific Beach Woman’s Club, 1721 Hornblend St., 7 p.m. All ages. missionbaymusic.com. On March 9, a bit of New Orleans comes to San Diego when the Six String Society hosts a Mardi Gras Cruise around Mission Bay aboard the sternwheeler, The William D. Evans. The event features an incredible lineup of six headline acts: The Sleepwalkers, Euphoria Brass Band, Shay and the Hustle, The Tighten Ups, Bayou Bros., and the Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas. Meanwhile, the top deck will feature acoustic music from Andy Lewis and Gregory Page. Expect the dance floors to be packed and the fun to be flowing, with the bonus of the San Diego skyline as a backdrop for the nights festivities.
Mardi Gras Cruise: Saturday, March 9 at the Bahia Resort, 998 West Mission Bay Drive. 5 p.m. 21 and up. The weather may still be a little chilly, but the music and atmosphere at Cannonball remains warm. Located right on the Mission Beach boardwalk, Cannonball is offering up early evening acoustic sets, beginning at 5 p.m., from local artists to accompany the drinks and dining. On March 12, the venue will host singer-songwriter David Shyde, performing a mix of standards from Hoagy Carmichaels “Georgia On My Mind” to Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” Shyde has a wonderfully soulful voice, particularly effective on his bluesier material, but well worth hearing whatever he’s singing.
David Shyde: Tuesday, March 12 at Cannonball. 3105 Ocean Front Walk. 5 p.m. 21 and up. cannonballsd.com. The “Conan” performing at Brick by Brick on March 8 is neither a barbarian nor the beloved late-night TV host, but is instead a Liverpool, England-based doom metal trio. With a sound not unlike a heavier Black Sabbath, the band was formed in 2006, releasing four albums along the way including, their recent “Existential Void Guardian.” Although the band isn’t treading particularly new ground, this is loud, melodically strong music. If you are a fan of hard rock looking to expand your musical horizons, Conan will have you head banging in no time at all.
Conan: Friday, March 8 at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 8:30 p.m. 21 and up. brickbybrick.com.
