WELP. That’s all, folks. The Padres have officially released us back into society. 😭

I’m not even mad. At this point, getting emotionally terrorized by October baseball is basically one of San Diego’s seasonal traditions. We laughed. We screamed. We aged. And now we rest.

Thankfully, the universe appears to be pivoting toward softer programming: crisp air this morning, RAIN allegedly coming this weekend, and tomorrow I get to see Jack Johnson at the amphitheater where I saw my first concert AND had my 7th-grade promotion.

It’s also in the neighborhood where I grew up, and where my parents still live, so this is becoming more accidental touring of the Faye cinematic universe.

Anyway!!! Now let’s replace baseball anxiety with something a little more graceful:

COMPOSITIONS: An Evening of Katie Jenkins hits Balboa Theatre 10/18, pairing world-class ballet with live piano, violin + string quartet. Three original ballets, female-led choreography + composition, and I’ve got tickets to give away. Enter to win!*

JUST ANNOUNCED

• Ska has spent decades periodically returning to save people from standing around awkwardly, and The English Beat were there at the beginning of the whole revival. See them 1/8 + 1/9 at Belly Up.

• Before winning RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bianca Del Rio was a theatrical costume designer, which explains why even the insults arrive impeccably constructed. It Gets Bitter lands on 2/4 at Balboa Theatre.

• Remember that enormous Bastille “Pompeii” remix every DJ was playing? Audien made it, earned a Grammy nomination, and basically infiltrated Coachella without performing. Catch the blueprint on 11/14 at NOVA.  

• Fifty years in and 38 Special is still out here proving that a massive guitar hook has no expiration date. They bring the classics and a fresh album to Viejas Arena on 10/24. Enter to win!*

• MORE SHOWS ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER HERE! 

MIGHT AS WELL MAKE IT A FREE-FOR-ALL

Your bank account asked me to intervene. Don’t shoot the messenger!

Luckily, San Diego has an unnecessarily large number of free things to do, so I put all the good stuff in one place. Choose your fighter below. ⬇️

THIS WEEKEND

Your Fall Glow-Up Starts Here

Fall is full of brand new things to do, and this season, add one that makes every other experience better. Imagine exploring a new city like a local, ordering off-menu at that authentic spot nobody else knows about, and actually understanding the conversation happening at the table next to you. That's what a little language can do.

Built by 200+ experts, Babbel guides you from theory to real conversations with just 5 minutes of learning a day. Bite-sized lessons, bingeable podcasts, and some conversation practice in between sidequests — everything you need to make this season more interesting. Start Babbel now and save 55% on a 12-month subscription.*

FIND RION A HOME

LOCALS ONLY

•  Win a trip for two to Fastball Comedy Festival! The prize includes round-trip airfare to Phoenix, a three-night hotel stay, TWO 2-Day Premium passes, festival merch + dinner for two. Catch Bill Burr, Tom Segura, Dave Chappelle + more 10/17–18.*

• Hawktober is back!!! Meet live birds of prey + learn how they hunt, move and survive with San Diego County park rangers. Events run through 10/31, including Waterfront Park 10/18. Go get bird-brained.

• San Diegans 18 + under can ride MTS for FREE with the Youth Opportunity Pass. School, work, hanging with friends, whatever. One less reason to ask somebody for a ride. Sign up!

• Your October side quest: pick your own marigolds in Oceanside. Mellano Farm Stand has U-Pick flowers Thurs/Fri + its Pumpkin & Marigold Harvest Festival on weekends.

WIN STUFF

FEATURED