
Even with its mix of scenery, vendors and the ever-popular chili cook-off competition, the biggest attraction to the annual Ocean Beach Street Fair on June 26 is the music. 2010 brings one of the strongest talent lineup’s in recent years, with highlights set to include performances from manic funk band the Styletones (7 p.m. on the main stage), country singer Sara Petite (1 p.m. on the Wonderland stage) and psychedelic folk rockers Heavy Guilt (3 p.m. on the 92107 stage). With five stages and more than three dozen performers throughout the day offering everything from Middle Eastern sounds to classic rock tribute bands, there is literally something for just about everybody. Key to the event’s music scheduling are the talent coordinators — local music producer Chuck Schiele and Winston’s/710 Beach Club talent buyer Ted Wigler. The men volunteer their efforts for the event’s organizer, the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association. Wigler has been involved in booking the event since 2002, while Schiele , who performs with his own band Bad Science Fiction (6 p.m. on the 92107 stage), came aboard in time for the 2004 street fair. Though there is crossover in their duties, Wigler chiefly handles the main-stage talent, while Schiele works with the other four stages. According to Schiele, nearly 500 performers are in contention to be selected each year, “most of whom are worthy of performance time based on their talent.” “The easy part is booking 45 performance slots or so, Schiele said. “The hard part is deciding which 450 or so to not include. I hate that part.” Schiele cited three main criteria as being part of the selection process. “Talent, ‘localness’ and professionalism.” he said. “We try to feature ‘our’ talent in Ocean Beach and around San Diego because, frankly, we are proud of the abundance of great performers.” Schiele also takes into consideration the family-friendly nature of the day. “Something new and interesting is always good, but it has to be fun with a sense of quality,” Schiele said. “Ocean Beach is very open-minded about creative stuff. However, it has to be cool for everybody, including the baby in a stroller and the grandma who’s pushing the stroller.” Wigler agreed, saying it is important to consider a band’s overall draw and audience. “For the main stage, I like to keep it at a level that’s a party, but not so it’s a situation that might explode,” Wigler said. “We’ve had offers from even bigger bands to play, but when you consider the layout of the stage and the audience, it’s important to keep things at the right level.” Jason Ott, frontman for the Led Zeppelin tribute act Dazed and Confused (3:30 p.m. on the Bacon Sun Stage) that played at the street fair in 2009, considers the OB-centric booking policies to be one of the event’s highlights. “I live three blocks from where we played and to be out on my own street playing for all of our close friends and fans is such a great experience,” Ott said. Ott said he appreciates the chance to play for all ages. “More people can see us than usual,” Ott said. “Lots of parents say they’re glad, because they can bring their kids who love Led Zeppelin. We’re really stoked at how the youth of today continues to stay interested in Zep.” Ocean Beach acoustic-rocker John Miller (1 p.m. at the Artists’ Alley stage), who performs with his group the Payback, is a three-year veteran of the street fair. Miller’s 2010 appearance will be his farewell performance, however, because of a relocation out of state. “This event is the culmination of some of my favorite things: Ocean Beach, rock ’n’ roll, good friends and good times,” Miller said. “Ocean Beach is the perfect setting with the perfect backdrop. A summer Saturday at the beach where the air is filled with the sounds of various music styles and smells of delicious food.” While some bands will be playing all covers, Miller takes the opposite view. “We really don’t change our set that much for this type of gig, but we won’t play one of our usual cover tunes,” Miller said. “When we get the opportunity to play to such a large group of people, we want to play our original music so those who haven’t heard us before get an opportunity to hear what we’re about.” While Miller is saddened to be playing his final local gig, he said he’s happy the appearance will be at the Ocean Beach Street Fair. “It’s fitting that I get to say goodbye to the community that I landed in seven years ago, at the event that, for me, defines Ocean Beach,” Miller said.








