The Jacobs Center, in partnership with Community Actors Theatre and Common Ground Theatre, are offering a free outdoor event of theater and history. The event will feature a lineup of dance, music, storytelling and more, including performances by Devon Stallion and J’Rayl. There will also be food trucks and other vendors, as well as visual art. The festivities begin at 10 a.m. at The Jacobs Center at Market Street Plaza.
Presented in collaboration with the George L. Stevens Senior Center, the Old Globe hosts the Axis: Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 18 at noon in its outdoor theater. The event will feature poetry, music, storytelling, and comedy from performers such as Alyce Smith Cooper, Def Sound, David Dredden and the Undefeated, and Brittany Taylor. Admission is free for attendees, but you must RSVP online.
The Cooper Family Foundation Celebration
The nonprofit Cooper Family Foundation has held its Juneteenth celebration annually in San Diego for more than 50 years. The event, which takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. highlights its significance with a community-oriented day filled with food, entertainment, dancing and history. This year’s free event will take place at Memorial Park, with live music from headliners Con Funk Shun, plus gospel, jazz, cultural performances, and educational resources. The event will also be broadcast live on Facebook for those who won’t be able to attend in person.
North San Diego County NAACP Juneteenth Celebration
North County’s chapter of the North Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) hosts a day of celebration in Oceanside at Pier View Way and North Freeman Street. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. and features performances, local art and music, a Kidz Zone, free health screenings, a vaccine station, and food and beverage vendors. The event is free for all to attend.
On Sunday, the World Beat Cultural Center will unveil Pathways to Freedom, a new traveling exhibit that connects history between the U.S. and Mexico with the Underground Railroad. The event will also keynote speakers Jordan McGowan and Dr. Starla Lewis as well as an outdoor marketplace at Centro Cultural de la Raza, with food, vendors and speakers. The event kicks off at noon, and the Pathways to Freedom preview goes from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
La Mesa Juneteenth and Friends Festival
La Mesa hosts its inaugural Juneteenth festival on Sunday at MacArthur Park. The event is free and will feature food, music, art, dance, and crafts, with participation from educators, writers, city and church leaders. Performances will also include music by the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Choir. The festivities kick off at noon and wrap up at 4 p.m.
Juneteenth Celebration 5K
Fit, Black and Educated, a nonprofit that helps provide Black communities with tools to promote better physical health, hosts its third annual 5K run/walk/bike event on Juneteenth. The course begins at Chollas Lake Park, and all participants will receive a drawstring bag and finisher medal, plus the first 50 participants will receive a shirt. The race begins at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 11 a.m. and is $45 (plus fees) to register. All proceeds will go toward Fit, Black and Educated.
Juneteenth Block Party
SD Melanin brings back its Juneteenth Block Party this year, which is being held at Quartyard from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. The event will feature music, food, vendors and “major vibes.” Music will be provided by DJ Prodigee and Mister Hek, as well as hip-hop artist ThaSpeakerBoxx. Tickets to the event are $25, and attendance is restricted to ages 21 and up.
Juneteenth, sometimes called Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, has grown from a local Texas tradition into a nationwide celebration. It marks the moment in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the freedom of around 250,000 enslaved people—symbolizing the end of slavery in one of the most remote parts of the former Confederacy.
In San Diego, Juneteenth stretches beyond the history books. It spills into parks, libraries, beaches, and backyards. It sounds like live jazz, spoken word, and open mics. It reminds you that liberation looks like a community in motion. There’s no one way to observe Juneteenth. From North Park block parties and dance floors to art exhibitions and Oceanside festivals, here are 12 events that all orbit the same idea: celebration with intention.
Courtesy of Cooper Family Foundation
How to Celebrate Juneteenth in San Diego
Cooper Family Juneteenth Celebration
June 21
For more than 50 years, the Cooper Family Foundation has been at the heart of San Diego’s Juneteenth celebrations, turning remembrance into one of the city’s most anticipated cultural events. It all began with Sidney Cooper Sr., a businessman and cornerstone of the Black community, who championed Juneteenth long before it became widely recognized.
Today, that legacy continues in full force, carried on by his family and held in loving memory of both Sidney and Thelma Cooper. This free, family-friendly celebration blends history with joy. Prepare for over 100 vendors, five food trucks, a domino tournament, multiple stages featuring live music, African drumming and dance, educational programming, and a dedicated kids’ zone. It’s a day of culture, connection, and community, all rooted in the belief that “We know the past. We shape the future.”
11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. | 2975 Ocean View Blvd, San Diego
Financial Literacy Pancake Breakfast
June 19
Because financial freedom is part of the conversation, too, this $5 community breakfast pairs syrupy stacks with real talk about generational wealth, investing, and how to build a thriving Black economy. Come for the pancakes, stay for flipping the script on financial education. Bonus: every donation supports 7th and 8th graders who participate in a financial literacy course, and helps kick-start their futures with a $25 boost.
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | 4900 Memorial Drive, La Mesa
Inaugural Juneteenth San Marcos
June 19
It’s freedom, flavor, and firsts in San Marcos this year with its inaugural Juneteenth celebration at Cal State University San Marcos. The Student Union will host an afternoon of live music, local vendors, family-friendly fun, and community spirit. The standout is the Emancipation Lounge VIP Culinary Experience, a rooftop tasting featuring upscale small bites from top Black chefs like Kelston Moore, Tony Bennett Jr., and DuVal Warner. Guests will enjoy handcrafted mocktails, goodie bags, a red carpet, and stunning views, plus a chance to connect with the chefs behind the dishes. With just 250 VIP tickets available, this exclusive event is expected to sell out fast. Proceeds benefit Bad Boyz of Culinary and AIM: Achievement in Motion.
3 – 8 p.m. | 333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos
Courtesy of Rhythm & Brunch
Rhythm & Brunch Juneteenth Celebration
June 19
With great food and smooth R&B, Rhythm & Brunch SD’s Juneteenth celebration is the perfect way to spend your Thursday. From 3 p.m. to 9 p.m, toast to a delicious, boozy brunch with a soulful soundtrack that celebrates culture and community. It’s casual, celebratory, and something you won’t want to miss.
3 – 9 p.m. | 401 G Street San Diego
Louisiana Purchase Juneteenth Block Party
June 19
Louisiana Purchase isn’t just hosting a party, it’s celebrating history, resilience, and freedom with a vibrant block party that puts culture front and center. Enjoy exclusive Juneteenth menu specials featuring New Orleans-inspired bites alongside a selection of Black-owned local vendors. The soundtrack flows with Afrobeats, R&B, and Hip-Hop, creating the perfect backdrop for a night honoring Black excellence through music, food, and community. The celebration kicks off at 12 p.m.
12 – 7 p.m.
2305 University Ave, San Diego
Juneteenth Spoken Word Open Mic!
June 19
Maybe you’re a poet, or maybe you’re just a really good listener. Either way, this celebration night invites you to grab the mic or settle in for something real. You’ll hear raw, poetic, and often hilarious takes on freedom, gratitude, resilience, hope and identity from some of San Diego’s most compelling storytellers. It’s an open space for local voices to share original pieces and reflect on what Juneteenth means right now.
Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.
Since 2017, the group been building a community for Black professionals through events, black-tie galas, concerts, rooftop soirees, and healing circles
Sometimes, an idea strikes and inspires someone to create all they wish to see. Like for Ivy League grad and former US Diplomat Loren Cobbs, founder of SD Melanin. The community provides a forum for Black professionals to congregate in San Diego, including an upcoming Juneteenth Celebration on June 25.
Cobbs migrated north to SD after completing an assignment in Tijuana, where she found she had an increasing thirst for spaces where she could enjoy camaraderie with other Black professionals. “I didn’t have a social network when I first moved here,” Cobbs says. “I’d go out by myself trying to acclimate with San Diego and west coast culture. I was wondering how I could meet people without door-to-door advocacy,” she says.
Photo courtesy of SD Melanin
Cobbs founded SD Melanin in 2017 and hosted her first event on MeetUp. “People would ask why I’m doing this, while others would say nobody would show up to the event. I’m the youngest of five siblings, and I have always been a bit stubborn, so I decided to move forward and see what happens,” she says.
The venue was a restaurant bar several blocks off the main drag in Hillcrest. More than 75 professionals showed up, a number that superseded what Cobbs expected. Since the inaugural Hillcrest gathering, SD Melanin has curated 200-plus events hosting more than 10,000 people at black-tie galas, concerts, rooftop soirees, and healing circles.
Photo courtesy of SD Melanin
But Cobbs isn’t alone in these endeavors. She is joined by a group of like-minded women (Jeaniqua Francis, Kiana Henderson, Amari Dixon, and Aniesa Thomas) who share a passion for outreach and community. “When I first began, I found it was women who would reach out to inquire about how they could be of assistance,” Cobbs says. “We bonded over community building and service.”
SD Melanin has hosted a Juneteenth celebration almost every year since the company’s inception, but part of striving for excellence is continuously elevating the standard. This year’s event will be hosted on Sunday, June 25, from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. at The Holding Company (THC) in Ocean Beach. The full-day affair will include two workshops hosted by Passion Planner, art by Illustrated Melanin (curated by Black Liberated Artist Collective), and items for sale by local Black-owned businesses. The first floor at The Holding Company will play Afrobeats, Soca, Reggae, and Amapiano, while the second floor and rooftop will bump Hip Hop and R&B.
Photo courtesy of SD Melanin
“The DJs will guide us through a musical journey,” Cobbs says. “We will take a musical journey throughout the diaspora and to places where Black folks have found liberation. It is fulfilling to feel like we are creating a solution and producing a space people feel invited in. Spaces they may not have been welcomed in before.”
But Juneteenth—which celebrates our country’s second independence day on June 19 and became a federal holiday in 2021—isn’t all cocktails and vibey music. The holiday carries a rich historical legacy. Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, marking the end of slavery in the westernmost Confederate state on June 19, 1865.
June 19 isn’t just a date on the calendar, it’s an emblem of freedom. The name originates from combining June and nineteenth, and early celebrations were held where Black people felt both physical and psychological freedom, such as in churches. The food-centered gatherings had a healthy heartbeat and immense support amongst African Americans in the rural south, but did not become popularized across the United States until the Great Migration, one of the largest movements of people in this country’s history.
Photo courtesy of SD Melanin
Moving forward, Cobbs is confident SD Melanin will continue to be synonymous with providing space and opportunity for those committed to thriving outside the bounds of what they thought possible.“I want to make it abundantly clear why we are focused on Black joy, and that’s because the majority of stories told about the Black community are rooted in trauma. There aren’t enough conversations surrounding liberation and community,” says Cobb. “It is fulfilling to feel like we are creating a solution, and rewarding to see a community shift. It’s nice to welcome people into spaces they hadn’t previously felt welcomed in.”
Jared Cross is a writer who grew up near the US-Mexico border in San Diego. He credits this experience with refining his appetite for food and culture.
August is San Diego at full volume. Summer crowds are still chasing sunshine, but the calendar belongs to locals who know this is when the city really shows off. One night you’re dancing under the stars, the next you’re watching thoroughbreds with a plate of oysters in hand, catching Broadway hits, wandering gallery exhibitions, or rallying on a downtown pickleball court. Whether you’re looking for live music, festivals, theater, food, or an excuse to spend as little time indoors as possible, these are the August events worth putting on your calendar.
On the heels of Cross Pollination II’s release, house musician Lane 8 will co-headline FNGRS CRSSD x Cross Pollination, a day of back-to-back grooves at Waterfront Park.
Cross coasts at the Civic Theatre for a jukebox musical rooted in family, coming of age, and blossoming talent in Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen, inspired by the 16-Grammy Award-winning singer’s NYC upbringing.
August 23
Jeff Goldblum is a classic man. In his show at The Rady Shell, Goldblum will accentuate his old-school charm with his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra.
Photo Credit: Aaron Rumley
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Month
August 1–October 10
Explore gallery walls lined with artwork juried by acclaimed artist Paul Mpagi Sepuya and chosen by the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library for its esteemed 34th Annual Juried Exhibition.
August 7
As you already know, we adore San Diego. That’s why we’re assembling the city’s crème de la crème—including over 90 curated vendors—in Liberty Station for our annual Best of San Diego Party, presented by Pechanga Resort & Casino.
Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical each specialize in bilingual music, songs overflowing with proud markers of Latinx identity. Hear the ear-tingling transmissions from their collaborative LP at Epstein Family Amphitheater.
August 16
Country music superstars, proud Georgians, and close pals Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan are doubling down on their summertime stadium tour with a boot-stomping concert at Petco Park.
August 27–September 6
The one-woman play Eleanor—told via the eloquent perspective of Eleanor Roosevelt—will make a limited return to the North Coast Repertory Theatre.
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Month
Now Through September 3
For six straight Thursdays, downtown’s Fifth Avenue will shut down and become the city’s first-ever street-style pickleball event. Bring a paddle and enjoy DJs, a wellness market, and zero-proof drinks at Gaslamp Urban Pickleball.
August 8
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s newest foodie event, the buttery Turf & Surf Festival, offers a luxurious combo of land and sea, built for watching trackside with a loaded plate in hand.
August 22
For the first time since 2019, the free Chula Vista HarborFest will hit the shores of Bayside Park with a classic car expo, lucha libre showdowns, and the chance to meet a mermaid.
August 29
Celebrate the seven decades (and counting) spent upholding Point Loma’s coastal landmark during Cabrillo Under the Stars, a 21-plus fundraiser with bites, Beatles covers, and, best of all, twinkling lights.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
Renewable energy companies building hundreds of power plants. Biotech startups using artificial intelligence to create personalized medicine for children with rare diseases. Hospitality companies quietly powering thousands of local events. Consumer brands growing from beach-town startups into national businesses. These are the kinds of companies driving San Diego’s economy today, and the businesses recognized at this year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards offer a snapshot of where the region is headed.
Hosted July 23 by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards event honored four local companies for innovation, growth, and economic impact. More than 100 nominations from San Diego’s middle-market businesses were reviewed by a 10-person judging committee, with winners selected across four categories: startup, early-stage innovator, rising star, and established heavyweight.
Two-time honoree Jimbo Someck, founder of Jimbo’s organic grocery stores, also joined the event for a fireside chat on buying local, supporting emerging brands, and giving back to the community.
“San Diego’s strength comes from its makers and builders—the resilient people who endure great risks and overcome obstacles to build and scale a company,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager and Middle Market Banking at JPMorganChase & Co. “These awards aren’t just recognition; they spotlight the talent, grit, and innovation shaping our region’s future. By celebrating those who create and build, we foster connections and fuel the growth that keeps San Diego thriving.”
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Building the Infrastructure Behind Clean Energy
Heavyweight honoree SOLV Energy has grown alongside the country’s rapid investment in renewable power. “It’s an exciting time for SOLV Energy as we are experiencing significant growth,” says CEO George Hershman. “The business has doubled over the last year and has almost double-digit growth since its inception.”
The Rancho Bernardo-based company designs, builds, operates, and maintains utility-scale solar and energy storage facilities. Since its founding in 2008, SOLV Energy has built more than 500 power plants.
Growth has translated directly into hiring. About 200 employees work from the company’s local headquarters, including roughly 20 interns. “Our intern program is a big part of the way that we grow our workforce,” Hershman says. “Last year, 43 percent of our interns became full-time employees. We believe San Diego is a great community to build and grow a high-tech infrastructure and technology company because of the incredible workforce—the ability to attract top talent and draw from world-class universities.”
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Developing Medicine One Patient at a Time
Startup honoree La Jolla Labs is tackling one of medicine’s biggest challenges by developing personalized RNA therapeutics for patients with rare diseases—many of them children with neurological disorders like ALS. Using proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning tools, the biotech company develops treatments tailored to each patient’s specific genetic mutation.
CEO Tamar Grossman says the recognition reflects how far the company has come despite limited resources. “We’re honored to be recognized for our ability to change and save patients’ lives and turn our lean startup into a clinical company with very minimal resources,” she says.
Grossman credits San Diego’s concentration of research institutions—including UC San Diego, the Salk Institute, and Scripps Research—with creating a pipeline of talent and collaboration. “San Diego is one of the world-leading centers for technology, genomics, and RNA therapeutics,” she says. “We have over 30 RNA therapeutics companies here, and we support each other and help with anything related to drug discovery.”
She says that collaborative spirit extends beyond formal partnerships. “You can walk around Torrey Pines, go into a café, and find colleagues from the industry and have an ad hoc conversation,” Grossman says. “That’s something very unique to San Diego.”
While Snake Oil Venue Company may not be a household name, chances are many San Diegans have attended one of its events. The early-stage innovator honoree has expanded from beverage catering and mixology consulting into venue management, operating Julep Venue in Mission Hills, Bramble Bay Venue in Imperial Beach, Vesper Venue, the Chapel at Liberty Station, and five outdoor venues throughout Liberty Station—more than 500,000 square feet of event space altogether.
“We do a lot of launch parties for corporations and new products,” says CEO Mike Esposito. “I really like working on the entrepreneur side of things, where new businesses are entering the San Diego market and looking to make a splash.”
Snake Oil has executed more than 16,000 events, employed more than 1,000 people, and partnered with more than 900 local vendors, including caterers, florists, photographers, entertainers, and other hospitality businesses. The company also works with many of San Diego’s nonprofits, museums, and cultural institutions. “We get to celebrate people’s most important moments,” Esposito says. “Whether that’s a wedding, celebration of life, or quinceañera, we’re fortunate to be involved in the community in so many different ways.”
Photo Credit: Matt Furman
Growing a Beach-Town Brand into a National Business
Rising star honoree ALOHA Collection is proof that a simple idea can grow into a thriving company. Founded by two roommates who wanted a better way to carry wet swimsuits after a day at the beach, the lifestyle brand has grown into a business while maintaining strong year-over-year growth.
Now headquartered in Carlsbad, ALOHA Collection employs more than 100 people and operates its California flagship store in Encinitas, which is slated for a remodel. With roots in Hawaii, the company is known for its lightweight, splash-proof travel bags that have become a familiar sight on beaches in San Diego and beyond.
“‘Aloha’ is part of our name, but it’s also how we move through the world,” says CEO Lynna Barnard. “It’s how we show up for people, the way we travel, the way we give back.” Since day one, the company has maintained a 5 percent giveback to Hawaii conservation efforts, contributing millions of dollars over the years.
“I think what’s so inspiring about ALOHA Collection, and the founders in particular, is when you dream big, those dreams can come true when you work hard and trust in the universe,” Barnard says. “It’s inspiring to be a role model for other people wanting to start businesses from humble beginnings. Start small and watch it grow.”
Together, businesses like these form a cornerstone of San Diego’s economy—not only through the jobs and revenue they generate—but through the local workers they hire, vendors they support, and investments they make in the region. Their growth doesn’t happen in isolation; it ripples outward, strengthening the broader business community and the people who call San Diego home.
Immersive theater productions, open-air pickleball matches and affordable festivals are among San Diego’s marquee happenings as we turn to August. Fans of horror classics and fourth-wall breaking can explore their interests via the new theatrical comedy Die Already! and the one-woman show ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, respectively. Pickleball enthusiasts can sign up for Gaslamp Urban Pickleball, a weekly chance to play outdoors, shop for gear and take advantage of neighborhood dining deals. Plus, for the budget-conscious, admission is free for a handful of local festivals, including the three-day Ramona Country Fair, ArtWalk Liberty Station and Cardiff Dog Days of Summer.
Dine on a sustainable farm-to-table spread from Barron Creek Farm at Thursday’s Mid-Summer Harvest Feast. The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with tunes from local band Wild Caravan, charcuterie, herbal refreshments and an optional guided tour of the farm (with the chance to harvest your own herbs). Then, guests will be seated for a four-course dinner at 6:30 p.m., crafted by Chef Jesse Bermudez of Rancho Valencia. Tickets are $100-$150 per person on a sliding scale; proceeds from the event will support the nonprofit farm’s environmental initiatives.
1501 Kelly Street, Oceanside
Uncorked: Del Mar at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
August 1
Sample a worldly selection of wines, champagne, cocktails and more through the 7th annual Uncorked: Del Mar this Saturday from 2-5 p.m. at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Dress in derby attire and enjoy an afternoon with horse racing, live music, food trucks, and unlimited tastings, with over 100 unique libations at this 21-plus event. Ticket options include general admission ($84) and early admission ($100), which comes with entry at 1 p.m. and exclusive pours; proceeds from this event go towards the nonprofit Urban Surf 4 Kids.
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Santigold at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
July 29
It’s common for musicians to go through cycles of exploration, but few are as adept at reinvention as Santigold. Even her oldest songs, like 2008’s “Shove It” feel revolutionary for their scale. She’s embraced a slew of influences—punk, dancehall, electronica, new wave—all on her way to becoming an alternative pop pioneer, a fashion icon and a beacon of originality. This Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Santigold will perform at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay with special guest Troy Baker Sound. General admission (standing only) is $68 for this concert.
2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island
Ramona Country Fair
July 31–August 2
Enjoy a western weekend at the Ramona Country Fair, returning this Friday from 4-11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Ramona Outdoor Community Center. The festivities include a cornhole tournament, an off-road car show, carnival-style entertainment and themed music lineups: Rhythm & Roots Night (Friday), Rock & Reggae Night (Saturday), Blues Brunch (Sunday morning) and Old Country Night (Sunday evening). Admission is free, while ride tickets (32 for $20) and wristbands ($30 online, $35 in-person) are available online.
421 Aqua Lane, Ramona
SummerFest at The Conrad
July 31–August 29
La Jolla Music Society will spend a full month celebrating classics at The Conrad during the 40th anniversary of SummerFest, beginning this Friday. This year’s festival, themed “Making History,” will open with The Incomplete History of the World in Ten Pieces (Friday at 7 p.m.), followed by Vienna 1900 (Saturday at 7 p.m.) and What If? (Sunday at 3 p.m.). In addition to the 21 concerts, there will be over 50 free events, including open rehearsals, lectures, coaching workshops and an informative preview (Wednesday at 6 p.m.). Those interested in Friday’s show can join the waitlist; tickets range from $40-$95 for Vienna 1900 and $65-$95 for What If?.
7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla
St. Vincent with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra
August 1
Last September, St. Vincent collaborated with conductor Jules Buckley and a 60-piece orchestra on a one-off concert for the BBC Proms series. Its success birthed two further triumphs for the acclaimed alternative musician: a sublime live album (Live in London) and a nationwide orchestral tour, with its penultimate performance set for Friday (7:30 p.m.) at The Rady Shell. Joining St. Vincent will be the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and a special guest, Pakistani singer and composer Arooj Aftab. Tickets range from $68-$117 for this concert.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
Siblings make better music. That’s the hot take, and there’s some logic and science behind it. The Bee Gees, Jackson 5, Billie Eilish and Finneas, AC/DC, Van Halen, The Allman Brothers—heck, even the Hanson brothers, why not? Beyond just a shared sense of taste and nonverbal communication developed over decades of living and evolving together, there’s a thing called “blood harmony.” The genetically similar throat cavities, vocal cords, speech patterns, and resonant bone structures all blend each unique voice into a more homophonic sound than what comes out of two non-related singers.
Those throat cavities are working wonders for emerging San Diego band We the Commas—three brothers (from oldest to youngest) Lenny, Jordon, and Cam Comma.
Raised in Vista and Carlsbad, the family opted out of cable TV (video games got a pass). Without binge-watching to fill bored hours, the trio turned to music. Guitar Hero led to GarageBand and finally to live instruments—guitars for Lenny and Cam, drum set for Jordon. In their sound, the influence of Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, The Who, and Dave Matthews Band is obvious, and so is surf culture, specifically that laid-back chill of North County surf culture.
“We’re like the Black Beach Boys,” Cam says. (Note: Three of the five founding members of the Beach Boys were siblings—the theory gets stronger.)
Their debut EP pretty clearly lays out how they see their sound—titled SARB, an acronym for Surf Alternative R&B. That resonates in the song “Sherry,” with its easy-listening, windows-down-on-the-101 vibe. It also works in the louder, surf-punkier “Pissed Off.” Despite some advances in reducing core stereotyping tendencies, people still tend to autofill Black musicians into rap and R&B. The Comma brothers immediately circumvent that by declaring themselves out the gates.
“SARB makes it so [listeners are] open to all of the things that we want to do,” Lenny says. “From there, you can put a label on whatever you think it sounds like.”
Courtesy of We the Commas
People—and musicians further up the stream—are taking note. In 2023, they co-wrote the song “I Keep Fallin’” with Eric Cannata, guitarist for multi-platinum SoCal band Young the Giant. In early 2024, they were tapped to open the national tour of Brooklyn’s jazz-pop heroes, Sammy Rae & The Friends. Comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias invited them to warm up his show at Pechanga a couple months later.
“We really believe genuinely, with our whole hearts, minds and souls, that this is going to work the way that we think it’s going to,” Cam says, grinning ear to ear.
Currently, the Commas live together in Vista, and the dream, wholeheartedly, is more alive than ever. They’ve put out two dozen singles and a trio of EPs: SARB (2020), Old School Love (2021), and Aeroplane (2024); this year alone brought the release of three new singles, including “Let Me,” a silky-smooth entry in their growing collection of love songs.
“We fully realized the magic is in all of us together,” Lenny says. “We know that this doesn’t happen without each person, and we have respect for each other because we need each other.”
As they grow as brothers and as a band, the Commas try to always remember what unified them in the first place.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
It’s estimated that 44% of women in the U.S. have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, but many don’t know it. The disease often has no symptoms, and when symptoms do present, they can appear similar to many other conditions. High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, so it’s critical that it’s detected and treated early. And for women at risk of developing high blood pressure, prevention is key. Click here for the basics of high blood pressure and how Scripps physicians at Scripps use screenings not just as a diagnostic tool, but as part of routine preventive care.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
