Cities like the rest of things in this world change.  They sway back and forth over many decades, some from good to bad, others from bad to good, and lots from bad to worse. North Park has always been a place of change, of acceptance, and free expression. Where the different, artistic, and edgy come to play, lay and stay. Many of us have seen our city streets change, the signs from our favorite bars and restaurants stripped away and replaced with glitz, glamour, maybe a little pizazz. Some of us have expressed out distaste for these changes, many feel the soul of town steadily being drained away with no replenishment in sight.

This isn’t a blog about pointing fingers, or dropping names, it’s about reclaiming a positive stance to these changes. As the bars and restaurants that still claim our souls, memories, and allegiance in North Park remain, let’s fill them up. The local music and art scene that still exists is waiting for the old faces to come back, fueled with a resurgence of living and playing the way you want to. Here are a couple of examples. Every time I walk into the Bluefoot Lounge, I get that NP feeling back. You know the door guy, the beers, and you know you’re gonna run into someone you know; the art on the wall isn’t cookie cutter, the photographs aren’t always pretty, but music is chill and it just flows. Even though Bar Pink has changed it’s name and owner in the past few years, I still love that I can stroll in and never know what I’m going to find. From a mariachi band to a head banging punk show, the scene is real and it’s ours.

As our small slice of neighborhood utopia changes even more, we as a collective-indie spirit need to lace up the chucks and throw on some pieces by your favorite local designer (who is possibly your roommate) and get out there and check out the music scene, enjoy some beats by our local DJs or thrash around at the next good show. Our town might change, but we don’t have to.

Congratulations to all of those who were nominated for this years San Diego Music Awards! Special congrats to Apes of Wrath and DJ Gabe Vega, two of Commune’s favorite locals, for taking home Best Alternative Band and Best Club DJ.  If you haven’t had the chance to check out the Commune featured local blog on Apes of Wrath be sure to do so at http://jointhecommune.com/2009-08-26-featured-local-winner-apes-of-wrath.php and be sure to check out what cool stuff Vega is up to at http://www.myspace.com/gabevega.

If you weren’t able to make it last night to the SDMA’s, check out the rest of the 2009 winners:

Artist of the Year: Slightly Stoopid

Song of the Year: Anya Marina – “Move You”

Album of the Year: Jason Mraz – We Sing

Best New Artist: The New Archaic

Best Local Recording: Josh Damigo

Best Rock: Transfer

Best Rock Album: Irradio – I am the Horn

Best Alternative: Apes Of Wrath

Best Alternative Album: Scarlet Symphony – Foundation

Best Hip-Hop: MC Flow

Best Hip-Hop Album: Deep Rooted-D.E.E.P. R.O.O.T.E.D.

Best Pop: The Silent Comedy

Best Pop Album: Get Back Loretta -Where Did You Go?

Best Hard Rock: Children of NOVA

Best Hard Rock Album: The Long and Short Of It – CAW!

Best Americana or Country: Sara Petite

Best Americana or Country Album: Gregory Page – Bird in a Cage

Best Acoustic: Steven Ybarra

Best Electronic: Album Leaf

Best Club DJ: Gabe Vega

Best World Music: Stranger

Best World Album: B-Side Players – Radio Afro Mexica

Best Jazz: David Patrone

Best Jazz Album: Danny Green – With You In Mind

Best Blues: West of Memphis

Best Blues Album: Lady Dottie & The Diamonds – Lady Dottie & The Diamonds

Best Cover Tribute Band: Dazed & Confused