Upcoming Events: December 14-20, 2015

Free Punk Show in Riverside
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm, December 14
Inkonsiderate Boardshop, Riverside
http://www.facebook.com/events/899549066761650/

Enjoy a FREE and all-ages local punk show tonight in Riverside.

Poison Idea: Live in Southern California
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, December 15, The World Famous Doll Hut, Anaheim http://www.facebook.com/events/502539276582171/
8:30 pm – 1:30 am, December 16, Soda Bar, Normal Heights, San Diego http://www.sodabarmusic.com/calendar.php?event_id=2678
9:00 pm – 2:00 am, December 17, Alex’s Bar, Long Beach http://www.alexsbar.com/event/969067-poison-idea-long-beach/
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, December 18, The Garage, Ventura http://www.facebook.com/events/957754764270678/

Portland’s own Poison Idea will headline a handful of shows this week in Southern California. The cover for these shows vary by location, so click on a show’s link for prices. No one under 21 may enter any of these shows.

107th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm, December 16-20
Balboa Island, Newport Beach
http://www.balboaisland.com/107th-annual-newport-beach-christmas-boat-parade/

Enjoy a free and all-ages Christmas boat parade around Balboa Island this week.

Give More, Get More On Fourth – A Holiday Celebration
9:00 am – 11:00 pm, December 17
Retro Row, Long Beach
http://4thstreetlongbeach.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/737067969757820/

Many shops on 4th Street in Long Beach will have sales or specials this Thursday. Check the Facebook event page linked above for a full list of what to expect on 4th Street this Thursday.

Allagash Bottle Release
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, December 17
Select Beer Store, Redondo Beach
http://www.selectbeerstore.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/1654045568196956/

Select Beer Store in Redondo Beach will have a special bottle release this Thursday night from Allagash, as well as a handful of other Allagash beers on tap. No reservations or admission required – simply show up and enjoy a cold one.

Beachwood BBQ 9th Anniversary Celebration
5:00 pm – 11:00 pm, December 17-19
Beachwood BBQ, Seal Beach
http://beachwoodbbq.com/events.html

Beachwood BBQ celebrates their ninth year in Seal Beach this week, and to commemorate, Beachwood Brewing releases Nine this week in bottles and at both locations on tap. When you visit either location, expect to find a plethora of seasonal beers on tap, plus an exciting menu full of exclusive items only found during this celebration.

Silent Night, Deadly Night
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm, December 17
Phantom Carriage Brewery, Carson
http://www.phantomcarriage.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/205568859778533/

This Thursday night, Phantom Carriage Brewery in Carson will have an ugly sweater party, release a new barrel-aged beer, and show a 1984 slasher film. No admission required – simply show up and enjoy the night.

Artifex Brewing’s Ugly Sweater Party
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, December 18
Artifex Brewing, San Clemente
http://artifexbrewing.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/952232751509791/

Don your ugly Christmas sweater to Artifex Brewing in San Clemente this Friday night. The top three sweaters will receive a prize. This event has no admission fee or cover charge. No purchase necessary.

The Music Center Holiday Sing-Along
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, December 18
The Music Center, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.musiccenter.org/events/special-events/holiday-sing-along/

At this free and all-ages event, visitors will get to sing holiday songs with many other people. The music center will provide lyrics sheets.

Save The Swim Team – Holiday Shows
7:00 pm – 12:00 am, December 18, Beatnik Bandito, Santa Ana http://www.facebook.com/events/844181019028037/
7:00 pm – 12:00 am, December 19, Bridgetown DIY, La Puente http://www.facebook.com/events/1480046275632977/
7:00 pm – 12:00 am, December 20, Ché Café Collective, La Jolla http://www.facebook.com/events/1650507011832983/

Ska-reamo band Save The Swim Team reunites for a series of Southern California shows this weekend. The cover charge for these all-ages shows vary by location, so click on a show’s link for prices.

Lightsaber Battle 2015
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm, December 18, Pershing Square, Downtown Los Angeles
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm, December 19, Waterfront Park, San Diego
http://www.thelightbattle.com/

To celebrate the new Star Wars movie coming out this week, Southern California will see two all-ages flash mobs involving lightsaber battles. Bring your own lightsaber, or order one from the organizers for $10 presale or $15 at the event. The event spaces will have food trucks, a temporary bar, and live DJ’s to take care of guests.

Retox and ACxDC Record Release Show
8:00 pm – 1:30 am, December 18
Characters Sports Bar, Pomona
http://www.gonzopresents.com/event/227054

Rock out to some local bands this Friday night in Pomona. The cover for this show costs $10. No one under 21 may enter. Guests can find plenty of free street parking in the area, and can avoid paying to park in the adjacent lot.

Punk Rock Christmas Party & Toy Drive for Toys For Tots
8:00 pm – 2:00 am, December 18
Viper Room, West Hollywood
http://www.x-members.com/

A handful of great punk rock bands will perform this Friday night in West Hollywood. Tickets to this show cost $12 presale or $15 at the door. Bring an unwrapped toy for special prizes and drink specials. No one under 21 may enter.

Let it Snow at the North Pole
11:00 am – 1:00 pm, December 19
Houghton Park, North Long Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/558354497646602/

At this free and all-ages event, visitors will find Santa Claus, toys, cookies, snow, and other forms of entertainment.

Akihabara Day
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm, December 19
Weller Court, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
http://www.akibaday.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/1390679991230480/

Fans of Japanese pop culture will not want to miss this free and all-ages event in Little Tokyo this Saturday afternoon. Activities include cosplaying, a gift exchange, speed dating, and photographs around the Christmas tree.

Star Wars Day at Helm’s Brewing
12:00 pm – 9:00 pm, December 19
Helm’s Brewing, Kearny Mesa
http://www.helmsbrewingco.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/155866331436083/

To celebrate the release of the new Star Wars film, Helm’s Brewing will air the original trilogy, host raffles for various merchandise, and release a new line of beers based on the Star Wars universe. This event has no cover charge – simply show up, pound a cold one, and enjoy the movies.

7th Annual Champagne Tasting
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, December 19
The Sky Room, Long Beach
http://www.theskyroom.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/208038826194535/

Taste ten exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines, along with specialty hors d’oeuvres pairings. Admission costs $65 presale or $75 at the door.

Timeless Pints Holiday Party
1:00 pm – 8:00 pm, December 19
Timeless Pints, Lakewood
http://timelesspints.com/events/timeless-pints-holiday-party/

Ring in the holidays with craft beer, ugly sweaters, live music, food, and more this Saturday at Timeless Pints in Lakewood, free to attend.

Toys For Tots OC Punk Show
6:00 pm – 1:00 am, December 19
The World Famous Doll Hut, Anaheim
http://www.facebook.com/events/438866096318664/

Lots of great local punk bands will perform at the Doll Hut in Anaheim this Saturday night. The cover for this show costs $10 or an unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more. No one under 21 may enter.

The Vandals 20th Annual Christmas Formal
7:00 pm – 12:00 am, December 19
House of Blues, Anaheim
http://www.houseofblues.com/anaheim/events/eventdetail/?viewNav=/event-detail&eventId=09004F52D42D1C36

The Vandals headline their annual all-ages Christmas show at the House of Blues in Anaheim this Saturday night. Tickets cost $20. Guests can park for free for up to five hours, so plan your arrival accordingly.

Chaos For X-Mas
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, December 19
Old Towne Pub, Pasadena
http://www.facebook.com/events/515453028621517/

Rock out to some great punk rock this Saturday night in Pasadena. The cover for this show costs $6. No one under 21 may enter.

Victory At Sea Day 2015
9:00 am – 9:00 pm, December 20
All Ballast Point locations, San Diego
http://www.ballastpoint.com/events/victory-at-sea/

Ballast Point releases their coveted porter, Victory At Sea, this Sunday to the public. At each of their locations throughout San Diego County, Ballast Point will have Victory At Sea for you to taste. Admission to each location will cost $30 and comes with five 4oz tasters, a souvenir glass, and a bomber of their limited edition coffee-only Victory At Sea. In addition, nearly every other beer bar and restaurant across the nation will have Victory At Sea specials, so check in with your favorite craft beer establishment if you cannot make it down to San Diego this Sunday.

44th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, December 20
San Diego Bay, San Diego/Coronado
http://www.sdparadeoflights.org/

Enjoy a free Christmas boat parade along San Diego Bay this Sunday evening.

Bouncing Back At The 4th Annual Ska Luau with Starpool and More

Returning for its fourth year running, the Ska Luau IV took over the House of Blues at Downtown Disney in Anaheim this past Monday night. This all-ages show combines two worlds, bringing the traditional family-friendly dances of a luau to a ska/punk rock show. In an effort to spread cultural awareness, prior to the start of any of the bands, all early arrivals could watch traditional Pacific Island dances, adding some culture to a night where ska kids and ska fashion bled out like a barbecue stain on a white shirt. Sadly for this show, the House of Blues did not allow anyone to take pictures with flash on, which reduced the overall quality of my photos. Nonetheless, I would like to say great job to everyone in Magnolia High School’s Polynesian Dance Troupe for putting on an excellent opening performance for the night.

With the island dancers done, the room shifted face, as most of the parents and children left, and all the ska kids filled the floor. Up first, CodeName: Rocky hit the stage to deliver their ska-punk set. It did not take long for the floor to erupt into a full-fledged pit, as the crowd simply forgot how to skank and resorted to a mindless circle pit. CodeName: Rocky played a solid uninterrupted 30-minute set, setting the stage for not only the bands to follow in the night, but for their upcoming show this Sunday night in Long Beach.

The greatest conundrum in music stepped forth next, as Save The Swim Team appeared for their final show together as a band. Why have I not seen these guys in the past? Representing a fusion of genres unlike no other, I can only appropriately call them a ska-reamo band. Who would think to play hopping ska music, then throw screams into it? Only Save The Swim Team has done so, and following this night, no one else does it. If you have not seen them live, search for their music on YouTube, and become a believer. Farewell Save The Swim Team – I barely knew you, yet you will have a lasting impression on my heart.

Disneyland visitors would get a kick out of the next band, which occasionally plays in Tomorrowland. Say hello to Suburban Legends, one of the most entertaining bands this side of Orange County. As one of today’s more influential ska bands, Suburban Legends has garnered quite a following across the nation with their style of performing. When these guys play, they do more than just play music – they put on a show. Suburban Legends incorporates music, dance, acrobatics, acting, and crowd participation to generate a show to remember for ages. With a set lasting 45 minutes, the crowd received 45 minutes of pure rallying and dancing, just enough to get our hearts pumping and amped for the final band. Make sure you catch these guys touring with Reel Big Fish starting TONIGHT and running across the nation.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our ska hosts for the evening: Starpool! If you have not heard of Starpool, you have not lingered around Orange County enough. Just as much as Narcoleptic Youth represents OC hardcore punk, Starpool represents OC ska. After all, without Starpool, we would not have the awesomeness known as the Ska Luau. Starpool kicked off their set with a bang as confetti launchers covered the air with the little strips of paper raining down on the crowd for the entirety of the first song. From there, Starpool delivered hit after hit with the occasional crowd interaction, which included handing out glow sticks, inviting some fans to dance on stage, throwing out chocolate phalluses, and trombone player Tbone Willy diving onto the crowd in a giant inflatable ball. Words cannot describe what transpired at this Ska Luau – you would have to attend for yourself to believe it all!

The Ska Luau takes place roughly the same time of year every year, and has always taken place at the House of Blues Anaheim. Stay tuned for the 5th Ska Luau next year, as they could possibly add a second night if the fans demand it enough!