Solana Beach City Council members, state representatives and singer Jason Mraz celebrated Belly Up’s 50th anniversary on Sept. 28, which was declared “Belly Up Day.”
A slate of 50th anniversary shows have been held at the venue since July, including the one by Mraz with Gregory Page, and will continue with Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals from Oct. 22-24.
Throughout its history, Belly Up has hosted everyone from local bands to the Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson and Lady Gaga.
Elected officials recognizing the 50th anniversary milestone included Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner and three members of the Solana Beach City Council: Jewell Edson, David Zito and Jill MacDonald. Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner presented a State of California resolution cosigned by Sen. Catherine Blakespear and Sen. Toni Atkins. Aides to San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and U.S. Rep. Mike Levin presented county and Congressional proclamations, respectively. Levin’s first time at Belly Up was in 2020 for a “Songs for SONGS” to raise awareness for nuclear waste storage at San Onofre and the obstacles involved in removing it.
On stage to receive the appreciation were Belly Up owners Steve Goldberg, Phil Berkowitz and founder Dave Hodges, who opened the venue decades earlier. Hodges chose the name Belly Up in response to naysayers who said the venture would fail, according to a news release.
But the small town venue defied doubters and went on to secure a national reputation for excellence.
“One of the things that makes the Belly Up special is how well we take care of bands, even if they’re the opening act,” said Chris Goldsmith, president of Belly Up Entertainment, in the news release. “If we take care of bands when they are just up-and-coming, they tend to remember that, and when there’s an opportunity to come and play and do something intimate and small, they tend to want to come back here.”
That was the case for Mraz, a two-time Grammy Award winner, who expressed his own appreciation throughout a long set that opened with an original birthday song.
“Happy birthday, we love you!” Mraz sang. In addition to Gregory Page, Mraz’s guest performers included Jack Tempchin and Bushwalla.Text content