Check out the new music venue at the Del Mar Fairgrounds
6AM City In-house

A soundwave hello 🔊

The Sound coming to the Del Mar Fairgrounds
Have you heard? The Sound is coming to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The new music venue will make its grand entrance on Friday, Feb. 3, with a performance by Ziggy Marley.

To get ready for showtime, we’re taking a peek at the mid-sized performance space and what we can expect for its inaugural lineup.

The Sound SDtoday

Outside The Sound in Del Mar.

Photo via The Sound

🔈 Behind the scenes

Music lovers have been patiently waiting for the venue to open. It was approved in 2017 by California’s 22nd District Agricultural Association — the manager and operator of the Del Mar Fairgrounds — and anticipated to open in October 2019. Construction delays and the pandemic slowed progress, but the show must go on. In November 2022, it was announced The Sound would finally debut in February 2023.

Performances will be managed by Belly Up Entertainment — known for its concert venue in Solana Beach. It expects to bring ~60 shows to The Sound annually.

The Sound Stage SDtoday

Balcony view from The Sound.

Photo via The Sound

🔉 Main stage

The Sound will take over a 9,500-ft space in the Surfside Center that used to be an off-track betting facility. Now, there’s less at stake, but guests can bet on being entertained because the venue features:
  • Capacity for 1,900 guests, including 250 permanent balcony seats and 125 seats along the sides of the standing room. Fully-seated shows will hold 800 guests.
  • A VUE Audiotechnik sound system that’s responsible for making noise in The Sound.
  • Five bars, four on the lower level and one on the balcony.
  • A 43 ft wide, 32 ft deep stage.
The venue is designed to be flexible. So, you could be rocking out at a show, or the space can be modified to accommodate other festivities at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

The view balcony The Sound

A view of the flexible audience spaces.

Photo via The Sound

🔊 Opening acts

While Ziggy Marley may be the first performer at The Sound, the venue hosted three performances for the “Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival” in October 2022 — before it got its name. This year, some big acts set to turn up at The Sound include:
✅ Want to hear updates and announcements? You can follow The Sound at its website and Instagram.
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Thursday, Jan. 26
  • Within Destruction | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 6:30 p.m. | Brick By Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., San Diego | $18 | The death metal band performs with guests Fox Lake, Carcosa, Shawshank, and Good for Nothing.
  • Cal State San Marcos vs. Cal Poly Pomona | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | California State University-San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., San Marcos | $6-$8 | The Cougars take on the Broncos in this men’s basketball game.
  • Two Dykes and a Mic | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 8 p.m. | Mic Drop Comedy, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego | $18 | A live recording of the queer, relationship-centered podcast.
Friday, Jan. 27
  • Orianthi | Friday, Jan. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Brick By Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave., San Diego | $30-$35 | According to you, the Australia pop-rock star performs live.
  • The Dolly Party | Friday, Jan. 27 | 9 p.m. | The Music Box, 1337 India St., San Diego | $15 | A disco party inspired by the country legend.
Saturday, Jan. 28
  • 123 Andres | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 10 + 11:30 a.m. | The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla | $15-$25 | Get excited to move and learn with this interactive, bilingual show.
  • Birding Basics Class | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Mission Trails Visitor Center, One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego | Free | Get an intro on identifying birds in the wild.
Sunday, Jan. 29
  • Paper Marbling Workshop | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | San Diego Craft Collective, 2590 Truxtun Rd. Studio 106, San Diego | $50 | Learn the art of paper marbling and create your own designs at this hands-on class for those ages 8+.
  • San Diego Sockers vs. Chihuahua Savage | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 5:05 p.m. | Pechanga Arena San Diego, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego | $35-$50 | The US team faces their rivals from Mexico.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE EVENTS SOUND NICE

Weather
  • 68º | Sunny | 1% chance of rain
  • Brr, San Diego has been chillier than usual in the mornings. This is due to a cold front that accompanied the county’s recent storms, and a shift in wind patterns. Santa Ana Winds are expected to pick up today, bringing warmer air, but cooler temps are expected to return next week. 🧊 (NBC 7)
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 6:47 a.m.
  • Set: 5:15 p.m.
Tide
  • Low: 6:34 a.m. + 6:53 p.m.
  • High: 12:47 a.m. + 12:29 p.m.
  • Water Temperature: 58°
Development
  • The Oceanside Pier is getting updates that will help extend its life. Oceanside has allocated $5.5 million to install new water, sewage, and electrical lines over the next 10 months. The project is slated to be done this fall, and the new components are expected to last 35 years. 🛠 (NBC 7)
Environment
  • Chula Vista will launch its first Zero Waste Academy through the Office of Sustainability, Thursday, Feb. 9-Thursday, March 23. The 7-week course is open to the city’s residents to support the Waste Reduction Strategic Plan (Zero Waste Plan). People who complete the academy will be recognized as Chula Vista Zero Waste Champions. ♻️
Transportation
  • Amtrak passenger services between San Diego and Orange counties are getting ready to roll again, but just on weekends. The route has been suspended since Sept. 30, 2022, due to unstable slopes near San Clemente. Trains could be operating as early as Friday, Feb. 4, assuming stabilization efforts are completed. 🚆 (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Closing
  • Roll the credits, two local Regal Cinema locations will be closing as the company files for bankruptcy and shutters 39 theaters nationwide. The Escondido and El Cajon cinemas will be shut down, leaving Escondido without a movie theater. The exact dates of closures are unknown; the company will reject leases starting Feb. 15. 🎬 (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Award
  • It’s almost awards season, and the James Beard Foundation announced its semifinalists for the 2023 James Beard Awards. Local chef Jonathan Bautista is a contender for “Best Chef: California” for his culinary leadership at Kingfisher — the buzzy restaurant in Golden Hill recognized by the Michelin Guide California. 👨‍🍳 (Eater San Diego)
Sports
  • The San Diego Gulls are stayin’ alive this season, and getting ready to skate into Disco Night against the Ontario Reign this Saturday at 7 p.m. The team will be debuting funky, 1970s-themed jerseys and hosting a towel giveaway for fans — do the hustle and get your tickets. 🕺
Concert
  • Get your family ready, Kidz Bop is coming to the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 3. The show will feature squeaky clean versions of hit songs — like Lizzo’s “About That Time.” Tickets go on sale for the general public tomorrow at 10 a.m. 🎤
Coming Soon
  • The Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park remains closed to add new installations, but they’re giving fans a sneak peek of the upcoming main exhibit. The museum shared an image of an iconic cartoon couch on its Instagram. We have our guesses, but we’d be saying doh! if we were incorrect. 🛋
Finance
  • Erase credit card interest until nearly 2025? Sounds good to us. This balance transfer card can do just that, providing you up to 21 months for the important stuff: travel, education, good food, time with family, or paying off debt. Apply today in minutes.*
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Learning is second nature 🍃

Jack’s Pond Nature Center reopens at Jack’s Pond Park
San Marcos nature center at Jack’s Pond Park
Growing minds in the Jack’s Pond Park Nature Center. | Photo via @sanmarcoscity
Jack’s Pond Park in San Marcos (aka San Parkos) is blooming with curiosity. After being closed for nearly three years, Jack’s Pond Nature Center has reopened.

The little red barn is recognized as a destination for school field trips, but was forced to close amid the pandemic. During this time, it underwent renovations with assistance from the Friends of San Marcos nonprofit.

The new complex has nine classrooms and will offer hands-on classes geared toward elementary-aged students that focus on plants and animals native to the area. The rooms are themed to cover topics like nocturnal animals, trails, conservation efforts, and local history.

The center is typically open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., but since it’s operated by volunteers, hours may change. You can find out more about volunteer opportunities in San Marcos here.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Michael.

Editor’s pick: Good morning, San Diego. It’s almost the weekend, but sometimes I like to take a little break from working and head to the San Diego Zoo. Sadly, I can’t take an actual trip during the workday, but did you know that the zoo has livestreams of many exhibits? It’s totally free, and there’s even pre-recorded footage of the panda exhibit, so we can relive the days we had with Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu. 🐼

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Museum of Us is looking for community input to reframe its “Race: Are We So Different?” exhibit.
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Editorial: Monica Garske, Michael Beausoleil, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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