SPOTLIGHT

The second edition of the 2024 Acoustic Evenings series takes place on March 29 at the Athenaeum. Hosted by Jefferson Jay, the night as usual will include sets from three of San Diego’s top performers, this time out featuring violinist Jamie Shadowlight, pianist Irving Flores, and singer-songwriter Ashley Norton (above). It’s a terrific lineup, with two of the evening’s performers nominated for San Diego Music Awards in the category of “Best Folk or Acoustic Song” this year; “Shadowlight,” alongside Aja Lee for “Misty Mountains,” and Norton with Thea the band and the tune, “Hitchhike to Heaven.” Longtime fans of these artists won’t want to miss hearing them in the Athenaeum’s acoustically excellent library setting, while this will also be a perfect introduction for newcomers to their sound.

Acoustic Evenings: Friday, March 29 at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. 7:30 p.m. $5-$20 ljathenaeum.org.

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Rock ‘n’ roll combo Falling Doves returns to Humphrey’s Backstage Live on March 28. The formerly OB-based group is now perennially on the world tour, building a large following with an over-the-top show that’s a lot of fun. Currently on the road promoting their latest single, jangly rocker “City of Dreams,” Falling Doves is still led by Christopher Leyva, a fearless frontman who will stop at nothing to get an audience up and off their feet and dancing. Fans of the Hamburg era Beatles, Cheap Trick, or The Rembrandts will enjoy the Falling Doves set.

Falling Doves: March 28 at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6 p.m. $5. humphreysbackstagelive.com.

Forty-five years after its first revival, ska music remains among the most popular in Southern California. One of the genre’s best cover bands, 3rd Project, performs at Tio Leo’s on March 29. Aficionados of reggae and British hit singles, circa the early 1980s, will find a veritable jukebox full of rarely covered vintage tunes in the eight-piece band’s repertoire. 3rd Project has an impressive set list, chock of favorites by the likes of The Specials, Madness, and Bad Manners, all chosen to keep a dance floor filled.

3rd Project: Friday, March 29 at Tio Leo’s, 6333 Mission Gorge Road. 7 p.m. $15. tioleos.com.

Jam band The Water Spots stops at Beaumont’s on March 30. Billed as an improvisational band, the quartet plays classic rock favorites, through stretching musical boundaries. As such, songs like The Beatles “With A Little Help from My Friends” or Paul Simon’s “Late In The Evening,” can form part of a medley, with extended guitar or keyboard solos and added percussion. Fans of Phish or The Grateful Dead will appreciate The Water Spots’ musical abilities, with the improvisational aspect of the group’s concerts making each one a truly unique experience.

The Water Spots: Saturday, March 30 at Beaumont’s Eatery, 5662 La Jolla Blvd. 9 p.m. $10. beaumontseatery.com.

Blues and R&B singer Whitney Shay performs at the Waterbar on April 4. Just back from a European tour, Shay is an amazing talent. Her most recent album, “Stand Up,” entered the Billboard Blues Chart at No. 1, with expectations set high for a pending follow-up. Shay is a strong songwriter, but intimate gigs such as this also include classic covers, ranging from folk standard, “The Midnight Special” to Bonnie Raitt’s “Nick of Time.” As Shay’s acclaim grows worldwide, intimate gigs, such as this Waterbar spot, are becoming a rarity. Fans shouldn’t pass up the opportunity.

Whitney Shay: Thursday, April 4 at Waterbar, 4325 Ocean Boulevard, 6 p.m. No cover. waterbarsd.com.

Featuring 15 San Diego County-based choirs, the 2024 San Diego Sings Festival will take place at Baker Baum Hall on April 6. The day’s music will be split into three different concerts, with a matinee at 11 a.m., followed by shows at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. While the set list is unconfirmed at press time, past performances have included such adventurous fare as Meghan Trainor’s song, “Better When I’m Dancin’,” and the Beach Boys classic, “Good Vibrations.” This event promises to be a wonderful experience for anyone who enjoys vocal arrangements and harmonies.

San Diego Sings Festival 2024: Saturday, April 6 at The Baker Baum Concert Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m. $23. theconrad.org.