The OB Farmers Market holds its annual Holiday Food & Toy Drive Concert from 4 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 12. Taking place at the intersection of Newport Avenue and Bacon Street, the free outdoor event will feature numerous local performers playing short, semi-acoustic sets of seasonal favorites. Beyond providing a fun soundtrack to your Farmers Market shopping experience, the concert will also serve as a drop-off point for holiday donations. “We are looking for non-perishable food items, unwrapped toys and money,” said event organizer Michael Head, best known as guitarist of local favorites, the Country Rockin’ Rebels. “This will all go to a group of OB families in need, chosen by the OB Town Council. We’ve gathered quite a haul over the years and I’ve personally seen the help that it brings. It’s amazing to see,” Head said. This year’s talent line up includes Head and band mate Kris Wott (5:30 p.m.), as well as Travis Oliver (4 p.m.), Dave Gilbert (4:30 p.m.), Jefferson Jay (5 p.m.), Alicia Previn (6 p.m.) and Chicken Bone Slim (6:30 p.m.) “For a special show like this, I look for musicians willing and able, even motivated, to give back to the community,” Head remarked. “Artists are an important part of that community and they are almost always ready and able to help where they can. That’s what makes musicians so cool – they are typically some of the most giving people.” He points out that “OB-based musicians are a focus of this show, as they always seem to want to help, but we’ve had performers from all over San Diego. Head notes the event will have a varied song list. “Most of the acts, but not all, focus on holiday tunes. This is great to get people in the holiday spirit of giving. Any music seems to help, and the OB audience is quite supportive no matter what.”
Larry Teves, aka Chicken Bone Slim, is a Farmers Market regular. He considers the weekly event special. “The OB community supports the market and that’s one of the reasons it’s such great community,” he said. “It’s always nice to see so many old and new friends there – you can’t keep me away.” His reasons for being part of this year’s holiday concert are succinct. “Because music needs ears, artists need love, and you reap what you sow,” he said. Alicia Previn concurs. “Music is such a great way to bring people together,” she noted. Previn has played the event previously. “It’s always fun performing at an outdoor holiday happening. People are usually in great spirits and it’s wonderful to think that we can help someone, even just a little, by playing these songs.” For his part, Travis Oliver is looking forward to the camaraderie of the event as well as hearing new takes on old favorite tunes. “I enjoy being part of the creative gift given to this community,” he said. “It’s a joy to witness and experience the variety of art the collective group brings to the event. Its a unique kaleidoscope of holiday music that shifts like the sands of our beaches and tides of our ocean.”
Despite the hard work of putting together a show such as this, Head is happy to be able to contribute to those in need just in time for the holidays. “Just knowing that every little bit helps and that everything is actually going to an OB family in need, is great,” he said. “Being a full-time musician is a lot of hard work but also you realize you’re pretty lucky to be doing something that really matters sometimes. It’s pretty cool,” Head said. Holiday Food & Toy Drive Concert: Wednesday, Dec. 12 at OB Farmers Market, Bacon and Newport. 4 to 7 p.m. www.oceanbeachsandiego.com.