SPOTLIGHT

Mission Bay High School’s Winter Concert Series (above) takes place on Dec. 13 and 14, in the school’s auditorium. Under the direction of music director JP Balmat, the opening night features an all-jazz program, with performances from the Hot Club Quartet, Mambo Orchestra, Preservationists, and Swing Choir. The following evening will be dedicated to classical music with the school’s String and Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, and Choir taking part. Each evening will include a mix of standards and holiday favorites, with proceeds going toward MBHS’s music department. These concerts are a family-friendly opportunity to catch some of San Diego’s budding musical talent in action.

Mission Bay High School Winter Concerts: Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 13-14, at Mission Bay High School, 2475 Grand Ave. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $5. missionbaymusic.com.

RECOMMENDED

Soul and R&B fans won’t want to miss the Free Explosion Holiday Jam taking place at Pechanga Arena on Dec. 10. On hand will be 10 hitmakers from the 1980s, including Stevie B, Lisa Lisa, Jody Watley, The Cover Girls, Sweet Sensation, Johnny O., Cynthia, Montell Jordan, JJ Fad, and MC SHY-D. It’s an amazing lineup for fans of dance music, with one of the highlights sure to be a rare appearance from former Shalamar vocalist Jody Watley. Whether she includes hits with her former band, such as “A Night To Remember,” or her own top 10 gems, like “Looking For A New Love,” Watley’s set promises to be a year-end highlight for area R&B aficionados.

Free Explosion Holiday Jam: Saturday, Dec. 10 at Pechanga Arena, 3350 Sports Arena Blvd. 7:30 p.m. $41.50-$135. pechangaarenasd.com.

It’s going to get loud at the 710 Beach Club on Dec. 10, when hard rock tribute group, Sabbath After Forever, stops in. The fully costumed Black Sabbath doppelgangers do a good job of matching both the look and sound of Ozzy Osborne and his bandmates, sticking mainly to their earliest 1970s-era recordings. While that does miss out on decades of tunes, those early days are where all the hits are concentrated, including such classic rock favorites as “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “War Pigs.” With Black Sabbath now retired from performing, Sabbath After Forever does a good job of keeping the band’s spirit and music alive.

Sabbath After Forever: Saturday, Dec. 10 at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 9 p.m. 710bc.com.

Iconic Latin jazz percussionist Poncho Sanchez performs at Baker Baum Hall on Dec. 15. Sanchez has performed with a legion of jazz greats from Cal Tjader to Art Pepper, but it’s with his own bands that he’s scored the biggest acclaim, releasing more than two dozen albums since his 1979 solo recording debut

Poncho Sanchez: Thursday, Dec. 15 at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center/Baker Baum Hall, 7600 Fay Ave. 7:30 p.m. $42-$82. theconrad.org/events.

Although guitarist Patrick Yandall is considered a jazz artist, his music encompasses much more than that. Performing at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on Dec. 18, Yandall is touring behind his latest album, “Blues Alley.” It’s a welcome addition to his canon, full of his signature lyrical playing, with plenty of Hammond-driven R&B groove amongst its tracks. Yandall is an impressive guitar player, but perhaps more importantly, he’s a good songwriter, giving his largely instrumental music plenty of hooks. His albums are all a good listen, but his live performances are what have made Yandall a festival favorite nationwide.

Patrick Yandall: Sunday, Dec. 18 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6 p.m. $12-$30. www.humphreysbackstagelive.com

Acclaimed surf combo, The Tourmaliners, hold their annual Surfin’ Christmas Party on Dec. 20 at Tio Leo’s. This year’s event will once again benefit the Pacheco Drug and Alcohol Recovery Mission in Mazatlan, Mexico, and will also double as an album release show for the band’s latest effort, “Surfidia.” The Tourmaliners mix originals with choice 1960s vintage classics, such as “New Orleans,” or “Route 66,” for a show that’s a lot of fun and keeps the dance floor packed. Opening the night will be Hawaiian-themed group, Slack Key Ohana, and Orange County-based rockabilly trio, The Alter Billies.

The Tourmaliners: Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Tio Leo’s, 6333 Mission Gorge Road. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $15. tioleos.com.