No matter what you're expecting, it's safe to say this venue will be different than what you had in mind. It's not really a venue so much as it is an idea, an experiment, an ongoing series. The place is a church by day and by night (for the last 4 years or so) it's the 'home' of Acoustic Music San Diego.
The whole thing is the brainchild of a local guy called Carey Driscoll. His passion for what he does is undeniable - just spend a few minutes browsing their website and you'll see what I mean. The other thing that's hard to deny is that he consistently books some of the most talented musicians in the country. Most are not household names or even big names but they are always very talented. That doesn't mean he books only unknowns, far from it. Especially if you're a 'folk' music fan you'll know plenty of the people he's hosted such as Richard Shindell, John Gorka, Maria McKee (formerly of Lone Justice), Jesse Winchester, Mark Olson (formerly of the Jayhawks), Mary Gauthier, Tish Hinojosa, Geoff Muldaur (Blues legend), Venice, Kelly Joe Phelps, and the show I should be at tonight - Glen Phillips (formerly of Toad the Wet Sprocket).
So there's no shortage of great music at any given concert here. But if you're looking for a place to see and be seen (or even have a cocktail or two) you'll be disappointed. AMSD is all about the music, no muss and no fuss. Mr. Driscoll routinely gets more than a little defensive about that very fact, as any member of his email list will attest. But that's only because he takes pride in what he does and believes it has merit. He's right. There are probably no more than a handful of venues like AMSD in the country, and in San Diego he's undoubtedly unique. If you're a local or just visiting us here in SoCal and acoustic music is your thing, check him out.