Alex Woodard is not the first former child actor to pursue a career in music, as Rilo Kiley's Blake Sennett, longtime Brian Wilson collaborator Van Dyke Parks and blues singer Josh White Jr., can all attest.

But Woodard, who lives quietly in North County and appeared in various TV commercials and on several episodes of "The Love Boat" in the 1980s, may be the first former child actor who later gave up a lucrative career in high finance to pursue his musical dreams. On the basis of his fifth and newest album, the self-titled "Alex Woodard," he clearly made the right choice.

Released yesterday, the 11-track album is an accomplished collection of heartland rockers and country-tinged Americana ballads that suggest broader success is close at hand. As thoughtful as they are appealing, Woodard's well-crafted songs are cut from the same cloth as those of Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Rodney Crowell, John Mellencamp, Jim Croce and other American troubadours -- past and present -- whose music eloquently captures earthy truths about living, loving and growing older without losing the dreams of youth.

Continue reading "CREST OF A WAVE: Alex Woodard performs tonight in La Jolla and tomorrow in Mission Valley" »

by George Varga at 05:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In which we nudge you from your laptop and into the night ...

- Oh Wendy Darling, the Feeling's Mutual (info)
- Connect with the Atoms (info)
- A little Brahms on a summer's eve (info)
- Are you Too Cool For Karaoke? (info)
- He sounds like Ray Charles on helium (info).See for yourself.

MORE: TODAY, TOMORROW and THURSDAY

by T. Michael Crowell at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Breakdancing 3.0 hit America's Finest this past weekend, with a workshop and dance jam called "Breaking in the Park."

The event, sponsored by the San Diego Civic Dance Association and Kleenhouse Clothing, was a b-boy/b-girl love letter to the athletic street dance cemented in America's collective consciousness with movies like "Breakin'" and "Beat Street" -- and who can forget Jennifer Beals' stunt double in "Flashdance," a male dancer from the mythic Rock Steady Crew (the late Frosty Freeze)? And if you never saw the After School Special "The Pilot," ease back into your ergonomic office chair and push play. (Right after you watch Yvette's video, above.)

Mainstream may mock the breakdance (see "Zoolander" and the "They're breakdance fighting!" scene), so it's cool to see a new generation of Frosty Freeze lovers, supporting the other definitions of bicycle pumps and windmills.

Video by Yvette de la Garza, SignOnSanDiego

by Keli Dailey at 01:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not being an expert on "Peter Pan," I can't say for sure how many band names have been inspired by this beloved children's tale. But even including San Diego's Wendy Darling, I can probably count them on one hand and still have enough spare fingers to do my popular "air-piano" routine.

Being even less conversant with Chinese Web sites, it's still difficult not to smile at the following English translation: "Four independent from the United States folk rock group, mainly lighthearted style, lead singer Cori Rush sweet voice yet some Qiaopi, album cover has a retro feel!"

The 1964 photo on the cover of Wendy Darling's debut album, "Half-Told Bedtime Stories," indeed has a retro feel. And the band's music contains elements of folk and rock, along with country, blues, pop and electronica (but not "crunk," as its MySpace page amusingly claims).

Rush commands attention without mangling her lyrics or engaging in empty vocal acrobatics. She is candid about her influences, which include Jenny Lewis and Ani DiFranco. I also hear hints of Martha Wainwright, Bjork, Feist and Annie Clark (a/k/a St Vincent) in Rush's phrasing.

Continue reading "OH, GROW UP! Wendy Darling plays CD release gig at Casbah tonight" »

by George Varga at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey Wikipedia Brown! If you solve some mini-mysteries on Street Scene's MySpace blog you can enter a raffle for free tickets.

For seven weeks now, some Street Scene trivia wizard has been tossing out quizzes, like, "Which band from the SS lineup consists of a lead singer and two pairs of brothers?"

Have you seen the lineup? There haven't been this many stylish siblings assembled on a single stage since Gary, Indiana wet nursed Motown pop. (That reference is easy as "ABC.")

The answer is The National. Someone guessed the volatile siblings The Black Crowes. Then there's a pair of sisters, the Mighty Quin twins, known to your iPod as Tegan and Sara (the bouncy piano in "Back in Your Head" rattles about my cranium on a loop).

Raise your hand if you want free tickets, Wiki Brown.

Photo by Nancee Lewis, Union-Tribune

by Keli Dailey at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You don't need a high school principal squawking about pregnancy pacts to tell you teens are having sex.

You need a Tony Award-winning alt-rock musical, with a Grammy Award under its arm, and some young actors in period costumes to tell you teens are having sex. And masturbating. And having abortions. And buckling under so much pressure to abstain and succeed that they are wigging out ... albeit to a fun rock score.

"Spring Awakening," whose humble origins started nine years ago at the La Jolla Playhouse with composer and rocker Duncan Sheik and writer-lyricist Steven Sater, ricocheted to Broadway and back to San Diego to pre-start its national tour this week. Audiences seem to dig the pop song structures and controversial storyline, which was ripped from a 19th-century German playwright's pages (it was banned, so it's gotta be good).

Want a pre-look at the shows' themes and teen anthems? Click the video above.

Playing at the Balboa Theater, 868 Fourth Ave. Aug. 15-31

Tuesdays-Wednesdays 7 p.m.
Thursdays 7:30 p.m.
Fridays 8 p.m.
Saturdays 2 and 8 p.m.
1 and 6 p.m. Sundays
(no matinee this Saturday, no evening show on closing night, Aug. 31

Previews, Aug. 15-19; Opening Night Aug. 20
Tickets: $25-$85.

by Keli Dailey at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Way back in '92, when he was a student at Brown University, majoring in semiotics -- that's the study of signs and symbols -- Duncan Sheik had no idea that one day his would be the new heartbeat of Broadway.

But that was before ''Spring Awakening.''

Not only did this daring musical -- co-written by Sheik and New York playwright Steven Sater -- go on to win multiple Tony Awards, but it's become a pop-cultural phenomenon.

With ''Spring Awakening'' beginning its first national tour right here at downtown San Diego's Balboa Theatre on Friday (the official opening night is Aug. 20), Sheik talked about the show that has changed his life on signonradio.com's "Into the Night."

As a musician, Sheik first gained popularity with his 1996 single, "Barely Breathing."

Continue reading "SHEIK SPEAKS: ''Spring Awakening's'' co-creator gratified by show's success" »

by David Coddon at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In which we nudge you from your laptop and into the night ...

-Save the $115 and row, row, row your boat out to the Gipsy Kings (info)
- Nails looking ratty? (info)
-Gabe Vega on a Monday? (info)

MORE: TODAY, TOMORROW and WEDNESDAY

by T. Michael Crowell at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rock legend Neil Young and his one-woman, four-man band are headed to town or an Oct. 29 concert at SDSU's Cox Arena. Death Cab For Cutie and Los Angeles indie band Everest will open.

Tickets for the concert at Cox go on sale Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. at ticketmaster.com, at individual Ticketmaster outlets here and by phone: (619) 220-TIXS. General admission floor tickets (read: standing room only on the arena floor) are $75 each, plus service charges. Reserved ticket prices range from $45 to (gulp!) $245 each, plus service charges. There is an 8-ticket per customer limit.

Do those prices seem steep to you? Us, too. Granted, touring is increasingly expensive in these days of recession or near-recession and still-ourageous gas prices. And while we admire Young's decision to team with Death Cab and Everest, can young fans of those bands afford to attend the show here at Cox? Even if they settle for a pair of nose-bleed seats at $45 each, they'll be spending more than $100 when you factor in service charges, facility fees and whatever "convenience" fees get tacked on. (Convenient for whom, we might ask?)

Continue reading "COMES A TIME: Neil Young, Death Cab For Cutie headed to SDSU (you may need to take out a loan to attend)" »

by George Varga at 03:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ironically, the people having the most fun at one of San Diego's oldest traditions, are the people that have never gone; the newbie's, of which myself is included. Subject to stares from impatient bookies, the newbie has nothing to worry about save for the good show of some quality horse racing and the unlikely possibility of winning money. And how do you know if you are a newbie? If the voice on the megaphone commands a scratch and you are left asking yourself "what's a scratch?" you are a newbie.
But it is possible for a newbie to win money at Del Mar, they just have to simplify the game; put it in layman's terms. Therefore presented to those who may prospectively be baffled by betting, The Newbie's Guide to Winning at the Track.

Continue reading "WHAT'S A TRIFECTA?: The Newbies Guide to Winning at the Track" »

by Patrick Meissner at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've tried patches, therapy groups, the works but I just can't seem to break my recent online shopping addiction. I am not a big fan of the sport traditionally because my odd body type and my unusually large feet (size 9.5 and proud of it!...not!) but its a lot easier for a spending addict like myself to say no to something online then to reject the handbag/jeans/shoes in person.

I was on zappos.com last night looking for back-to-school shoes and not only is the wonderful free shipping zappos.com now offering clothes but my best find on zappos.com was a link to this website called 6pm.com and I would have enjoyed with my week with a heaping side of guilt if I didn't share this major find.

No clothes here but this site offers a great shoes and handbag website with seriously amazing bargains. Like for those in need of a new backpack? Found a gorgeous black North Face backpack for only $33.00! That's even better than the North Face deals at Costco and this way you don't have to have a membership OR face sudden death by large shopping cart.

Continue reading "BARGAINS 4 LYFE: Its 6 pm somewhere!" »

by Kate Stanhope at 02:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

POSEIDON
1670 COAST BLVD.
DEL MAR
858-755-9345
(Chapter one of our three-week adieu to the '08 races.)

Rundown: Poseidon is the name Zeus bestowed upon the god of the sea. It's also the name of the 2006 remake of the 1972 film "The Poseidon Adventure" in which a rogue tsunami tips over a cruiseliner in the middle of the ocean and all but five passengers either burn or drown. You decide which comparison is more fitting, based on the sea of pink people fresh out of the races, the Benz and Lexus farm parked out front, the many members of the Tommy Bahama club, their trophy blonds and the countless gallons of white wine required to keep them giddy. If the place were an actual boat, it would no doubt capsize because everyone's stuffed into the bar for cheap eats.

The deal: $3 Miller Lites and Heineken Lights, $4 margaritas, $5 cosmos, $5 house wine and $4-6.50 bar starters (which include duck tacos, sake-steamed mussels and prawn martinis drenched in vodka sauce) from 4 to 6:30 p.m., weekdays.

Not to be missed: The skinny stretch of bar located outside, which is technically off limits during happy hour but the only window of opportunity to order a drink. Have faith in the power of puppy dog eyes. From there you can keep one eye on the beach volleyball tourneys and the other on the taut, young eye candy in the neighboring lifeguard booth, all while contemplating, "So this what it feels like to be a North County cougar?"

by Derrik Chinn at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tijuana partygoers who stay south of the border long enough for a hangover to kick in, meet the ultimate all-natural cure. Glassy shards of ice mixed with syrupy chunks of nature's candy (albeit the sort that comes out of a can), the subzero fruit salads freeze all that's terrible after a night of too much tequila.

But they're not just for boozers. Playas Raspados also saves the day when an afternoon at the beach becomes unbearably sweaty (hence the playas part) or when the border line stretches for what seems like days and you spot one of their makeshift carts staked out amid the traffic like an angel in a storm of CO2 fumes.

The house rules permit you to mix any two of the 20 flavors (guava, peach, mango, lemon and tamarind, among others), free of charge. Which can prove too cumbersome when you're shielding your puffy eyes from the blazing noon sun and wondering how to say "I'll give you $20 for two aspirin" in Spanish.

Continue reading "BETTER THAN ASPIRIN: Frozen fruit salads" »

by Derrik Chinn at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

San Diego native Laura Roppe's picture doesn't appear in the dictionary next to the word "multi-tasking," but it should.

By day, she's a partner at the San Diego law firm of Tatro & Zamoyski, where she specializes in employment and contract law. Her expertise in both of these fields comes in handy, no doubt, for her second career as a singer who just released her first solo album, "Girl Like This," and was -- until recently -- the lead vocalist in the group CoolBandLuke.

A USD grad who also has a degree in theater arts from UCLA, Roppe is also the married mother of two young daughters, a fact that no doubt helped inspire her songs "Little Daughter" and "Mama Needs A Girls Night Out" on her album.

Roppe will be the guest today from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on "Fill In The Blank," my weekly live music interview show on SignOnRadio.com. She'll discuss her album, which features cameos by everyone from North County multi-instrumental wiz Dennis Caplinger to RX Bandits guitarist Methew Embree (who happens to be Roppe's cousin).

Feel free to phone in with questions and comments -- and maybe even free legal advice! -- at our handy, toll-free phone number: (866) 818-6384. And be sure to tune in to next week's edition of "Fill In The Blank," when our guest will be Leucadia singer-songwriter Alex Woodard.

by George Varga at 09:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Around six o'clock Friday, the regulars found themselves fleeing the Del Mar Racetrack against a current of Rasta and Rasta-esque San Diegans, load of them with eager smiles and bloodshot eyes. The flow out of the track couldn't quite put together the significance of a Wailers (above) concert or even recall where they had heard the name. While others realized this is as close to the legend as they will ever get.

The Wailers were, naturally, Bob Marley's band and, following his death, went on to write their own music while still performing the staples of their days with the Marleyman. Through the years The Wailers have lost musicians, and now the only remaining original Wailer is bassist Aston Barrett. And it's absolutely right that Barrett found himself playing with an almost complete ghost group, for his bass line is the soul of The Wailers music.

The rhythm section (below) is completed by Carlie Barrett's successor, a well-composed drummer who let his more impressive fills come to life at the end of the show. The band's current drummer rocks his set with a mellow style that combines rudimentary percussion and classic reggae grooves. Together, the rhythm section hung out at the back of the stage and kept the show moving. They simply worked and kept the groove going relentlessly.

Continue reading "LIVE UP!: The Wailers at Del Mar Racetrack" »

by Patrick Meissner at 09:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)