The Ocean Beach Farmers Market is one of a kind. The sights, sounds — and especially the smells of various edible delicacies co-mingling with the sea breeze — make the event a smorgasbord for the senses. While food is the focus of the event, savvy music fans know the weekly event is also a great place to catch some of the area’s best musicians in action. Booking of the event was recently taken over by producer Michael Head, who is replacing local music fixture Chuck Schiele. Schiele relocated to the East Coast earlier this year. “I started in early September,” Head said. “I sort of grew up in OB. So it’s a very cool, full-circle thing for me. [It’s] good to give back a bit to my ’hood.” A well-respected local musician who is currently strumming in the The Rockin’ Country Rebels, Head works with other artists at his own Headtrap Music Studio location. Now, he’s also the music manager with the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association’s (OBMA) annual events like the OB Restaurant Walk, the Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off and the recent OB Holiday Parade Fun Zone. Head was one of several people suggested by Schiele before his departure, according to Denny Knox, OBMA executive director. “When I talked to Michael, I knew right away he’d be perfect,” Knox said, citing Head’s enthusiasm and willingness to help. At the farmers market, Head is a jack-of-all-trades, taking on tasks from booking to running the sound system. “It is a lot to juggle,” Head said. “You try to compartmentalize as much as possible, but it ends up bleeding all over anyway.” While the farmers market’s musicians perform for free, Head said their appearances are a good way to build a following or promote other shows and releases. Groove Session frontman Ron Sanchez found that to be true. “The people were very friendly and receptive to our style of music,” Sanchez said. The Ontario-based band returns Feb. 3. “We were able to gather a relatively good-size crowd, which is always nice, and we sold a fair amount of merchandise — which was good because it wasn’t a paying gig.” Al Howard agrees about the good vibes in Ocean Beach. The percussionist with The Heavy Guilt has performed there four times. “I love playing the market,” Howard said. “You get to catch the ears of passersby who most likely wouldn’t hear you otherwise. Plus, playing outside a block from the ocean ain’t bad.” One new aspect of the farmers market since Head took charge is theme nights. “It really started with the booking of a local bagpiper and the need to fill an appropriate performer with him,” Head said. “Turns out, there is a great Celtic punk band right in OB called The Fooks. Boom! Celtic night!” Head found he was dealing with similarly-styled artists and “it just made sense to put them together.” He said he is open to billing of all types. “[With themes,] I was also looking for something the OBMA could put on the website, or that I could put on flyers and catch some attention,” Head said. “It’s not something I’m tying myself to, but something to do if I want.” Among the artists on the upcoming schedule are local singer-songwriter Jeff Bloom (Wednesday, Dec. 15) and Brenda Patterson (Wednesday, Jan. 19), but perhaps the most-anticipated concert each year is always the Holiday Music Show, scheduled this year for Wednesday, Dec. 22 as part of the OB Holiday Food and Toy Drive. “The entire month of December, the farmers market is dedicated to gathering donated toys and food for local needy folks,” Head said. Canisters for donations are placed throughout the farmers market area. While the typical weekly concerts involve two artists, this year’s Holiday Music Show concert will include four: Joey Harris, Peter Hall, Jefferson Jay and Mama Christy. Harris has performed at the event for the last five years. “The OB Farmers Market Holiday Show has become a Christmas tradition for the Harris Clan,” he said. “My wife, Vicki, and my boy, Will, always join me for a song or two. There’s always someone interesting playing when we arrive, and it’s great to see musician folks I haven’t seen all year and catch up a little.” Head said he has no limits as to what types of music he’ll book. “I am always looking to expand the minds of market music listeners and the idea of what the music on the market really is and can be,” Head said. “That being said, it needs to be family friendly. It’s an all-ages atmosphere and that means kids and people old and young. But make no mistake. It can rock, and most people want it to rock.” OCEAN BEACH FARMERS MARKET • When: Wednesdays at Newport Avenue and Bacon Street from 4 to 8 p.m. • Who: All ages • Information: Visit http://www.oceanbeachsandiego.com /event-farmers-market