SPOTLIGHT

Fans of 1960s pop-rock won’t want to miss the “Happy Together Tour” stopping in at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay on July 11. The show will feature stars of the era including The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap (encima), The Vogues, The Classics IV, The Cowsills, and Ron Dante of The Archies, who combined are responsible for an impressive 61 Billboard Top 40 hits. All still give great performances, but the clear favorite this evening will be former San Diegan Gary Puckett. Best known for a string of Top 10 hits between 1967-1969, including “Young Girl” and “Lady Willpower,” he helped put San Diego on the musical map. Six decades on Puckett remains in fine voice, with a greatest hits set that will thrill fans at this rare homecoming show.

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap: Tuesday, July 11 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6:30 p.m. $66.50. humphreysconcerts.com.

RECOMMENDED

One of the hottest young blues talents hitting national stages right now is guitarist Anthony Cullins. Performing on July 7 at Beaumont’s, Cullins is barely out of his teens but is already highly rated by his peers, winning the coveted “Best Blues Artist” trophy at this year’s San Diego Music Awards. He is currently working on a new studio album in advance of more touring, but the concert stage is where Cullins truly shines. This show is a great opportunity to catch a rising music star in an intimate setting. Culliins won’t be playing venues this small for much longer.

The Anthony Cullins Band: Friday, July 7 at Beaumont’s Eatery, 5662 La Jolla Blvd. 9 p.m. $10. beaumontseatery.com.

On July 8, The Soto Six will present a Tribute to The Jazz Crusaders at Dizzy’s. Led by Dylan Soto (saxophone), the group will perform musical selections that span the three-decade history of the Crusaders, ranging from their hard bop roots, continuing through their experimentations with form and meter, before ultimately ending up at their funk/fusion era. Joining Soto in The Soto Six for this ambitious program will be Ryan Kupsh (trombone), Rudy Marquez (guitar), Bob Weller (piano), Max​ ​McKellar (bass), and Joannah Sy (drums).

A Tribute to The Jazz Crusaders: Saturday, July 8 at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. $20. dizzysjazz.com.

Classic rock trio 3 Way Street perform at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on July 11. Featuring James Gossett (vocals, guitar), Andy Tirpak (vocals, guitar), and Laurie Beebe Lewis (vocals, keyboards), the combo excels at close harmony singing, giving their versions of tunes by the likes of Crosby, Stills and Nash, or Fleetwood Mac a particular edge. Notably, Lewis was a latter-day member of the iconic singing group, the Mamas and Papas, making 3 Way Street’s renditions of songs such as “California Dreamin’” and “Dream A Little Dream of Me,” as close to the real thing as you can get.

3 Way Street: Tuesday, July 11 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 8:30 p.m. $5. humphreysbackstagelive.com.

This year’s free Concerts by the Sea series at La Jolla’s Scripps Park kicks off on July 16. Upcoming performances will include Atomic Groove (July 23), The Springsteen Experience (July 30), and Full Strength (Aug. 6), but first up on July 16 will be long-running dance band, The Heroes. The key to the band’s longevity is their versatility. The Heroes offer up something for just about everyone, from 1940s swing standards to the latest funk hits, making them the perfect family-friendly listening experience for a Sunday afternoon in one of the city’s most beautiful locations.

The Heroes: Sunday, July 16 at Scripps Park, 1133 Coast Blvd. 3:30 p.m. Free. kiwanisclublajolla.org/event/concerts-by-the-sea.

Surf rockers The Tourmaliners celebrate their Fifth anniversary with an outdoor dance party at Tio Leo’s on July 18. Making this event extra special, the night will double as a release party for a vinyl issue of their 2022 album, Surfidia, as well as a celebration for that album’s “Rock Album of The Year” win at the SDMA’s earlier this year. The key ingredient at a Tourmaliners show is “fun,” with an excellent mix of vintage tunes such as “New Orleans” and the “Hawaii 5-0” theme, played alongside top-notch originals that are every bit as melodic and danceable as the classics.

The Tourmaliners: Tuesday, July 18 at Tio Leo’s, 6333 Mission Gorge Road. 7 p.m. $5. tioleos.com.