The Bahia Resort is hosting a weekly summer beach party, California Dreaming, each Thursday through Aug. 29. Taking place right on the beach adjacent to the resort’s iconic sternwheeler boats, a wide array of culinary delights will be available, but best of all will be the entertainment, provided by legendary cover band, The Mar Dels. Formed in 1982, the band maintains an extensive set list that can span the decades. However, for this event, look for a focus on songs with a summer vibe by the likes of the Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet and Bob Marley.
California Dreaming: Thursdays at the Bahia Resort, 998 West Mission Bay Drive. 6 to 9 p.m. All ages. $56. Under 12 $28. bahiabelle.com. Soul fans won’t want to miss the Summer Jam concert taking place at Pechanga Arena on June 29. Featuring major hitmakers from the 1970s and 1980s, all playing short sets of their crowd pleasers, topping the bill will be a band with a San Diego connection, War. Still featuring former local, Lonnie Jordan, the band is best known for a string of rhythm-driven hits such as “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” “Lowrider” and “The Cisco Kid,” that will have the crowd dancing in the aisles. The night’s bill also includes such favorites as Cameo (“Word Up”), Brick (“Dazz”), Cherelle (“Affair”), “The Original” Lakeside (“Fantastic Voyage”) and Tom Browne (“Funkin’ For Jamaica”), making this show a veritable jukebox of Top 40 dance classics.
Magic 92.5 Summer Jam with War: Saturday, June 29 at Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. 7:30 p.m. $44.50 – $74.50. Soul singer Rebecca Jade makes an appearance at Waterbar on July 3. Jade is a major talent and top of the list when it comes to performers poised to take their music to the next level. Recent activities include touring with Shiela E, recording with Peter Sprague, and performing with her band The Cold Fact, all helping her build a solid following and a heck of a resume. For these more intimate sets, Jade mixes pop, blues and jazz with her signature soul sound, making a great soundtrack for this waterfront venue.
Rebecca Jade: Wednesday, July 3 at the Waterbar, 4325 Ocean Front Blvd. 6 p.m. All ages. No cover. waterbarsd.com. Weezer tribute band, Weezerton, performs at Campland on the Bay on July 5. Not many modern era bands would rate a tribute band, let alone multiples and even comedic versions. But as recently parodied on TV’s “Saturday Night Live,” such is the cult of Weezer. Being an “albums” band, Weezer has scored only one Top 40 hit, “Beverly Hills,” however the band’s singles are ingrained in the public consciousness at this point, with songs such as “Buddy Holly” and “Hash Pipe” well on their way to being standards. Weezerton performs solid versions of all the hits and deep cuts for fans of all the bands eras.
Weezerton: Friday, July 5 at Campland on the Bay. 8 p.m. All ages. No cover. campland.com. For music fans there is nothing quite as exhilarating as musical artists collaborating on new works. Such will be the case on June 28 at Dizzy’s when the Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio join forces with guitarist Peter Sprague, for a night of original compositions. Sprague is already an established jazz icon, but the members of the trio are all rising stars in their own right, featuring Ed Kornhauser (piano), MacKenzie Leighton (bass) and Matt Smith (drums). It’s safe to say jazz aficianados will enjoy every second of this performance, but these players sounds would be appreciated by any listener.
The Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio + Peter Sprague: Friday, June 28, at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. All ages. 8 p.m. $20. dizzysjazz.com. Funk and soul combo, Bump City Brass, will perform at Tio Leo’s on July 5. The 13-piece horn-backed band is known for their terrific takes on classic songs by groups like Tower of Power (“So Very Hard To Go”) and singers such as Billy Paul (“Me & Mrs. Jones”). The common thread being tunes with plenty of groove in their rhythms to keep audiences on their feet. Lots of fun to dance to, Bump City Brass are also a great listen, their intricate arrangements sure to please even the most jaded musician in the audience.
Bump City Brass: Friday, July 5 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 8 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. tioleos.com.