The 710 Beach Club has started a new acoustic happy hour each Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. On hand will be Marc Aliana (May 16), Dan the Blue Grass Hole (May 23) and Britt Doehring (May 30). With warm summer days just around the corner, these intimate acoustic happenings just feet from the roar of the ocean are the perfect way to get the weekend started early or just unwind after a hard day of work. All are seasoned performers, but of note is Aliana. A terrific guitarist in both acoustic and electric mode, he can also be heard performing with The Red Not Chili Peppers, among other groups. Though the shredding is toned down when he plays acoustic, the music is no less passionate, with Aliana’s ability to mimic a cover song down to the tone particularly impressive.
• ACOUSTIC HAPPY HOUR: Thursdays at the 710 BEACH CLUB, 710 Garnet Ave. 5 p.m. 21 and up. www.710bc.com. Multi-instrumentalist Stefanie Schmitz performs at Café-Bar Europa on May 20. Adept at saxophone, clarinet and percussion, Schmitz can be seen around town with various combos, including Brazilian folk group Choro Sataque, though here she’ll be accompanied by a few musical friends. Performing mostly instrumental jazz with improvisational touches, Schmitz and company provide an excellent soundtrack to a nice afternoon out at this intimate location. Because of the setting, the material tends toward the low-key side, but it’s still engaging, with Schmitz’ emotive playing sure to please jazz fans and diners alike. • STEFANIE SCHMITZ: Tuesday, May 20 at CAFE-BAR EUROPA, 873 Turqouise St. 4 p.m. 21 and up. www.theturquoise.com/wordpress. Rockabilly fans won’t want to miss Karling & The Kadavers at Tio Leo’s on Saturday, May 24. Looking like a cross between Wanda Jackson and Betty Page, Karling and her band excel at vintage sounds circa the 1950s, full of strum and twang, rock ’n’ roll and fun. The band’s musical stories are all spelled out in its song titles, like “Thinkin’ of Drinkin’” and “Crazy Mabel,” both of which do capture a wonderful retro sound, though the attitude and spirit is timeless. They may be a good listen, but make sure to bring your dancing shoes. This is a group that will get your feet moving from the first beat. • KARLING & THE KADAVERS: Saturday, May 24 at TIO LEO’S, 5302 Napa St. 9 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.tioleos.com. San Diego’s music community has a lot of respected jazz players, but few are as beloved as saxophonist Joe Marillo, who performs at Dizzy’s on Saturday, May 24. The occasion is Marillo’s 82nd birthday, with a performance by Joe and his Quintet featuring pianist Reka Parker. Affectionately known as the scene’s “Godfather,” Marillo has released several great recordings. But his greater impact has been on the live club circuit and especially as a music teacher, where he has mentored and taught hundreds of students over the decades. This concert is a great opportunity to hear music from one of our town’s living legends. Stop in and wish him a happy birthday.
• JOE MARILLO: Saturday, May 24 at DIZZY’S, 4275 Mission Bay Drive. 8 p.m. $15. www.dizzysjazz.com. One of the hardest-working bands in San Diego, Sister Speak performs at Humphreys Backstage Live on Friday, May 30. Fronted by gifted songwriters guitarist Sherri-Anne and drummer Lisa Viegas, with award-winning guitarist Tolan Shaw and bassist Jacob Miranda rounding out the combo, the band is perennially on tour, forever crafting and road-testing material. Their indie rock touches on folk, with a highlight being the superb harmonies between Sherri-Anne and Shaw’s voices, as heard on their new album, “Rise Up For Love.” Sister Speak is starting to tour further afield, with the immensely talented quartet earning some well-deserved praise from coast to coast.
• SISTER SPEAK: Friday, May 30, at HUMPHREYS BACKSTAGE LIVE, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. 5 p.m. www.humphreysbackstagelive.com.