Well... July is off to a fantastic start.

I got a street sweeping ticket before 9 a.m., so if anyone asks, yes, Mercury is absolutely in Gatorade.

But aside from my wallet taking a small emotional hit, I'm excited about this month. July in San Diego is kind of undefeated. We all collectively remember how cool our city is, and our calendars suddenly fill up.

Also... I've got something cooking this month that I am DYING to tell y'all about. I can't spill it just yet, but trust me, it's gonna be worth the wait. EEEEEEEK.

For now, let's start the month with a giveaway that's definitely cheaper than a parking ticket...
Enter to win a pair of tickets to The Family Album, a moving new musical at La Jolla Playhouse. With a soulful score, plenty of heart, and a story about finding your voice, this is one you'll be thinking about long after the curtain falls.*

JUST ANNOUNCED

• One of Ireland's most celebrated traditional bands is headed to Belly Up. Lúnasa brings nearly three decades of acclaimed Celtic music to Solana Beach on 3/10.

• E.N Young has taken San Diego reggae around the world; now he's bringing the party back home. Reggae Circus Dub Fest hits Music Box on 8/13.

• Loud? Obviously. Predictable? Not even close. Agriculture, Uniform, and Pure Hex take over Casbah on 10/29.

• Summer's in full swing, so here's your homework: start listening to HARBOUR now (if you haven’t already), then thank yourself when they roll into Quartyard on 12/12.

• The list is wiped clean for July! Stay on top of the just-announced shows all month long!

WIN STUFF WEDNESDAY

Old stuff, new stuff, free stuff, cool stuff... you get the idea. It's Win Stuff Wednesday, which means your odds of having a much more exciting calendar are about to improve. Enter one giveaway, enter them all. We won't judge.

WHENEVER

LOCALS ONLY

• Calling all artists! The Japanese Friendship Garden is looking for original artwork inspired by Japanese yokai. Selected pieces will be featured in a special exhibition this fall and at the Yokai Masquerade on Halloween.

• Every Fourth of July, local shelters see a spike in lost pets. Help your pet find their way home with a free microchip from the San Diego Humane Society through Friday.

WIN STUFF

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