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Wednesday | May 22
The Tilt
INFO: 8:30 p.m. at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $7/adv, $10/door. 479-1854.
>> See: Love Your Local Band >
Cold War Kids
The fourth studio album from Cold War Kids, Dear Miss Lonelyhearts, is just as rambunctious as the rest of the indie rock band’s discography, but with a more dance-ready feel—and that’s the way we like it. Song titles like “Loner Phase,” “Bitter Poem,” and the title track itself attempt to dampen the mood, but the invigorating beats throughout keep things light. So expect a bouncy, feel-good set Wednesday at the Catalyst, where the band will share the stage with fellow Los Angelenos, Superhumanoids. | CEO
INFO: 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 22. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $16/adv, $20/door. 423-1338.
Thursday | May 23
Transoceana >> See: Love Your Local Band >
INFO: 9 p.m. Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $8. 429-6994.
13th Annual Halliday Lecture
NASA planetary scientist Christopher McKay will present “The search for life on other planets, with an update from the Mars Curiosity Rover” on Thursday at The Rio, as part of the 13th annual Halliday Lecture. McKay’s research focuses on the evolution of the solar system and the origin of life. For the uninitiated, NASA’s Curiosity Rover landed on Mars on Aug. 6, 2012. McKay will discuss the current status of the rover’s search for organics in the Martian soil and the prospects for determining the habitability of the site. If Curiosity finds organics on Mars, the next challenge will be to determine if they are of biological or non-biological origin. As someone who is actively involved in planning for future Mars missions, McKay is a great resource for those interested in space travel. | JENNA BROGAN
INFO: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $3. Visit santacruztickets.com.
Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band
You know the suspense and excitement you feel leading up to the season finale of your favorite television series? All those months spent completely committed to the characters and plotline? The young performers who make up the Kuumbwa Jazz Honor Band know all about that feeling, as they prepare to take the stage on Thursday at Kuumbwa Jazz for their grand finale concert. All year long, the group—representing six high schools—has been practicing and performing around the Monterey Bay, under the direction of music educator Steve Wilson. For 15 years, the honor band has produced talented musicians and composers who have gone on to have successful careers, so rest assured, this is the cream of the crop. | CYNTHIA ORGEL
INFO: 6 p.m. doors and dinner. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $10/adv, $13/door. Tickets are half off for students with valid ID. 427-2227. Photo: rrjones
Celso Piña & Su Ronda Bogotá
Illustrious Mexican cumbia singer/accordionist Celso Piña will make his Santa Cruz debut at Moe’s on Thursday, alongside his full band—a quintet featuring his brothers—best known as Celso Piña y su Ronda Bogotá. Not only is this Piña’s first time performing locally, but it is also his only scheduled show in the Bay Area at this time. An unstoppable dance party, this band pumps out tropical and upbeat cumbia classics that ingeniously incorporate hip-hop, reggae, ska, R&B, and more. | CEO
INFO: 8:30 p.m. Moe's Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $23/adv, $28/door. 479-1854.
Friday | May 24
Never Forget Pauly Silva Benefit Concert
Back in February, our community lost a beloved martial arts teacher, plumber, husband, father of two, and friend: Pauly Silva. Friday’s benefit concert at Don Quixote’s will raise funds to assist the Silva family with burial expenses as well as education for his children. Silva’s strong and lovable spirit will be channeled through the night’s emcee, Chris Rene, of X Factor fame, as well a rockin’ lineup of bands, including Touch'd Too Much, Dickie Dangle & The Snot Rockets, and Cliff Feldman & Roots 66. | CEO
INFO: 7:30 p.m. Don Quixote's, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $12/adv, $15/door. 603-2294. facebook.com/NeverForgetPaulySilva.
SOLID: Souldiers Overwriting Limitations In Definitions’
The SOLID. Collective—a group of nine UC Santa Cruz students and an alumni, who found a common desire to demonstrate the necessity of visual and performing arts in public educational systems—will present its newest show, titled “SOLID.”, on Friday for the public to enjoy. The performance is a community studies senior project that combines spoken word, poetry, music, dance, song, performance art and monologues to portray the ways in which visual and performing arts have empowered and influenced the cast members’ lives. | JB
INFO: 7 p.m. UCSC Stevenson College, Event Center, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. No cover.
Santa Cruz Guitar Orchestra
The Santa Cruz Guitar Orchestra will conclude its season on Friday with a finale concert, called “Sinfonia de Guitarra,” featuring a diverse selection of music—from Baroque to Zimbabwean to Indonesian to Turkish. Led by guitarist/composer Mesut Özgen, the SCGO is comprised of local professional players, teachers and students who play not only classical guitars, but also mandolins, slide guitar, electric guitar and bass. Guest guitarist Marc Teicholz and two sopranos, UC Santa Cruz alumna Sheila Willey and Donna Wessgerber, will also accompany the group at this special show. Highlights include Bach’s “Sinfonia,” Heitor Villa-Lobos “Aria” from the “Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5,” Benjamin Verdery's "Scenes from Ellis Island,” and more. | JENNA BROGAN
INFO: 8 p.m. First Congregational Church, 900 High St., Santa Cruz. $15/general, $10/seniors, $5/students, No cover/under 12. Visit brownpapertickets.com.
Saturday | May 25
The Builders and the Butchers
The Portland-based Builders and the Butchers has released one celebrated folk rock record after another since 2007, the last of which being 2011’s Dead Reckoning, featuring the thumping anthem “Rotten to the Core”—“Did you know the whole world’s rotten to the core?” frontman Ryan Sollee powerfully and rhetorically asks. Since then, the band has been busy finding a cure for the disintegrating state of the world. The result? Their fifth LP, Western Medicine, which we hope to hear lots of at The Crepe Place. | CEO
INFO: 9 p.m. Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6994.
Saturday/Sun. | May 25/26
Santa Cruz Blues Festival
One of the most celebrated and longest-running blues festivals on the west coast, the 21st annual Santa Cruz Blues Festival kicks off on Saturday with two jam-packed days of all-star acts, food booths and children’s entertainment, all in a natural amphitheater surrounded by oaks and redwoods. This year’s event features performances by Steve Miller Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jimmie Vaughan, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Sonny Landreth, Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers, and more. Get excited. | JB
INFO: 10 a.m. gates open, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. show. Aptos Village Park, 100 Aptos Creek Road, Aptos. $65/one-day general, $25/one-day children, $120/two-day general, $40/two-day children. No in/out privileges after 3 p.m. Parking at Cabrillo College with shuttle available.
Help Me Paint My Future
When two painters, brothers Jose and Henry Mendez, realized that some of the children who hung around their art studio in Guatemala were interested in learning how to paint, but also had struggling mothers, absent fathers and minimal resources, they decided to form Help Me Paint My Future. The Mayan art school offers drawing and painting classes every Saturday morning, in addition to a small meal. Every month, the mothers of the participants are provided with a basket of basic foodstuffs, and when possible, children’s clothing and/or school supplies. The painters support the project with a percentage of the sales of their paintings from their gallery, benefit events and donations. This weekend, locals will have an opportunity to view artwork made by some of the students in the program at First Congregational Church, with proceeds from the show benefiting the school. | JB Photo: Jose Mendez
INFO: Noon-5 p.m. First Congregational Church, 900 High St., Santa Cruz. Visit paintmyfuture.info.
Sunday | May 26
David Ramirez & Jay Nash
The poster for this show is epic in itself: At the top, David Ramirez gazes thoughtfully in front of an American flag, and below, Jay Nash stares the viewer dead in the eye, seemingly unaffected by a fire behind him. The not-so-subtle message here is this: Get ready for a night of intensity and honesty, brought to you by two popular American rockers who thrust a whole lot of heart and soul into their music. | CEO Photo: Deborah Lopez
INFO: 9 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $10/adv, $12/door. 423-1338.
Baroque Festival
Following its popular Spanish-themed Flamenco Fiesta in 2012, the Baroque Festival will present a “Music in the Gardens” party on Sunday at the artistic director’s own tropical garden. Guests will enjoy snacks and wine while experiencing music and dance of Indonesia. Gamelan Anak Swarasanti, the Santa Cruz-based award-winning Balinese gamelan orchestra, will perform traditional and contemporary Balinese gamelan on both the sitting angklung and marching beleganjur sets of instruments. The group’s repertoire consists of pieces collected over 10 years from all over Bali. If you can’t afford a trip to the island itself, this is a great way to become immersed in the culture. | JB
INFO: 5 p.m. Directions to the private residence where the concert will be held will be provided to ticket holders. $50. 459-2159. santacruztickets.com.
Thursday | May 30
The Seasons Guitar Quartet Be Our Guest
When guitar maker John Monteleone noticed the seasons changing outside of his workshop window, he set out to make four guitars, one to represent each season. The resulting instruments are now wielded by the four virtuosic members of The Seasons Guitar Quartet: Anthony Wilson, Chico Pinheiro, Steve Cardenas and Julian Lage. And, believe it or not, thanks to Monteleone’s expert craftsmanship and the gentle plucking of the four musicians, each guitar produces an intoxicating sound that echoes the feelings experienced in spring, summer, fall and winter. Hear it for yourself on May 30 at Kuumbwa Jazz. | JB
INFO: 7 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $22/adv, $25/door. 427-2227. WANT TO GO?: Tell us why on the Good Times Facebook page by 11 a.m. Friday, May 24 and you could win two free tickets.
Saturday | June 1
Margaritaville’s First Annual Rub Off
Think you’ve got the best homemade meat rub this side of the Santa Cruz mountains? Then you’ll want to enter Margaritaville’s first annual Rub Off. The competition will take place on Saturday, June 1, and features tastings and live music. The restaurant will provide the meat and contestants will supply the rub. Guests will help determine the winner of “Best Rub,” who will receive two round-trip tickets to Hawaii. With admission at only $10, this is one event your taste buds won’t want to miss. | JB
INFO: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Margaritaville, 231 Esplanade, Capitola. $10/door (includes entrance, two beers, live music and a taste of the competitors’ meat). Call 476-2263 or speak to a manager to enter.
Monday | June 3
Cyrille Aimée will perform at 7 p.m. at Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. Tickets are $20/adv, $23/door. For more information, call 427-2227. >> See: Feature Article >
In The Queue
Cedar & Boyer, Acoustic indie-folk duo from scenic north Idaho -Friday at The Ugly Mug
Carolyn Wonderland, The guitar goddess brings the Texas blues tradition to the Cruz-Friday at Moe’s Alley
California Roots Music & Arts Festival
Three days of reggae heavy-hitters—from Slightly Stoopid to Matisyahu-Friday-Sunday at Monterey County Fairgrounds
The Cliches, Local rock/metal band steps out of the garage for an ear-splitting show-Monday at The Jury Room
The Black Lillies, This chart-topping Americana group blends country with rock and blues via Appalachia-Wednesday at Don Quixote’s
>> See: Music Feature Articles >
>> See: Love Your Local Band >
>> See: A&E Feature Articles >
>> Good Times Facebook page >
Want more?
> Music Club Grid PDF >
> Santa Cruz Visitor Guide >
> GT Active Outdoor Guide >
> Film Reviews and Times >
> Happy Hour Directory >
> Radio Station Guide >
> Dog-freindly shops, dining, lodging >
> Community Events Calendar >
> Post Community Events free >
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Ongoing Events
Now-May 2
6
High School Art Show ARTSEEN
The Santa Cruz Art League (SCAL) presents its 58th annual High School Art Show this month, featuring more than 700 works created by seniors at 15 high schools, charter schools and special needs schools. At the forefront of the art scene, the participating youth are both cutting edge and forward-looking—“the future Picassos, Andy Warhols and Dale Chilhulys,” according to the SCAL. Find out what the next generation of local art looks like at this dynamic exhibit, on display now through May 26. | JB ~ INFO: Now-May 26. Reception takes place from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 11. Santa Cruz Art League Gallery, 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz. No cover.
426-5787.
Now through May 31
‘Firenze—una Storia d’Amore’ ARTSEEN
Celebrated Santa Cruz artist Adrienne Momi will unveil her new diverse collection of artworks, entitled “Firenze—una Storia d’Amore,” during the month of May at R. Blitzer Gallery. Featuring several different series, the exhibition includes a number of prints and montage pieces inspired by archaeological digs, ancient architecture, illuminated manuscripts and various tchotchkes drawn from her own surroundings. One such series, “ABCdarium,” was influenced by the tradition of
the illuminated alphabets from the Renaissance period, but reflects modern sensibilities. Contextualizing history and playing with abstraction and realism, Momi always keeps viewers on their toes and craving more. | JB
INFO: Exhibit runs May 1-31. An opening reception will take place from 5-9 p.m. Friday, May 3. R. Blitzer Gallery, 2801 Mission St., Santa Cruz.
Life Underwater ARTSEEN
The community will have the opportunity to view a collection of Santa Cruz artist Joel Frank's heavily textured and vibrant oil paintings and drawings beginning this month at Chimera Tattoo Studio & Gallery. Frank, who holds a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, spent time as an apprentice and studio assistant to renowned painter Odd Nerdrum in Norway, and his newest work is a reflection of that experience. Layered and sculptural, his new work is reminiscent of paintings by Rubens and Rembrandt, while loose, raw and contemporary at the same time. His artwork tends to focus on the figure and portraiture in relation to an element of water. | JB
INFO: Exhibit open now through May 31. Chimera Tattoo Studio & Gallery, 1010 Fair Ave., Ste. I, Santa Cruz. 426-8876.
In Her Place: Visual Narratives’
The vibrant artwork of Bonnie Stone, a Saratoga-based watercolor artist, is currently on display at the Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery at UC Santa Cruz. Stone’s paintings are at once beautiful and thought-provoking, like puzzles just waiting to be solved. Whether she’s depicting women buzzing around with activity or experiencing a quiet moment at home, her work explores the ever-changing roles of women, with Judaic influences that reflect her personal heritage. | JB
INFO: Now-June 22. Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery, Cowell College, UCSC, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. 459-2953.
March 30-July 7
Photo ID
The work of more than 50 local and international photographers will fill the MAH this spring as part of a museum-wide exhibition called “Photo ID.” While each participating artist’s vision is unique, all were challenged with exploring the complexity of the question “Who are you?” both in front of and behind the lens. Notable artworks and artifacts include Cindy Sherman’s 1976 photograph, “Untitled (mother embracing children),” Sasha Jungju Lee’s “EyeCon” series, a video montage by Cesar Kuriyama and Mido Lee’s series of photographs that reverses the male gaze. The community will also have the opportunity to interact with the exhibit via a Santa Cruz photobooth, an exhibition of cellphone photographs taken by locals, photographs by area elementary students, and games and activities designed to explore identity through film. | JB ~ INFO: March 30-July 7. Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. $5/general, $3/students 18+ and seniors 62+, $2/students 12-17, no cover/museum members and under 12. 429-1964.
April-June
The Art of Nature GREENFIX
More than 40 works by the California Guild of Natural Science illustrators—including local artists Sondra Cohelan, Anne Scott-Chambers and Maria Cecelia Freeman—will be exhibited April 6-June 9 at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History as part of the 24th annual Art of Nature exhibit. Art lovers and science enthusiasts alike will appreciate the impressive collection of science illustrations, which were created with the help of research, field sketches, notes and data to depict the natural world. From flowers, to birds, to invertebrates, to mammals, each illustration demonstrates how art can be used to convey scientific information. Try your hand at illustrating museum specimens at the illustration station throughout the duration of the exhibit, then see live art demonstrations by some of the illustrators at a special reception on May 3. | JENNA BROGAN ~ INFO: April 6-June 9. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz. $4/adults, $2/seniors and students, No cover/kids and museum members. 420-6115.
April-June | 11
The Dinner Parties: Art & Agriculture ARTSEEN
This month at the Sesnon Art Gallery, award-winning Bay Area chefs and artists will unite to expose the link between art, agriculture, community and experience. Chef Jerome Waag and artist/teacher Chris Sollars will present the documentation of their collaborative dinner party project, “Melt the Pot.” Jim Denevan, founder of Outstanding in the Field, will relate his 14-year culinary adventure to his journey as an artist. UC Santa Cruz professor E.G. Crichton will explore social issues by presenting social vignettes around the dinner table. Chelsea Wills brings her experience between Mexico and the United States into a monochromatic dinner. And Leif Hedendal will connect the community via his Dinner Discussions in Santa Cruz. | JB ~ INFO: April 10-May 11. Sesnon Art Gallery, UCSC, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. Free admission. Parking is $6/day and $4 for special events at the Porter College lot; parking is free on Saturdays.
Wednesdays
Santa Cruz Scottish Country Dancing
Get some exercise, make new friends, and have a ball while doing it every Wednesday at First Congregational Church, where locals come together to learn traditional Scottish County Dancing. Beginners are welcome to join in on the fun, and participate in lively reels, jigs and strathspeys. No partners are necessary, just wear soft-soled shoes and comfortable clothing to move around in. Each dance will not only get your heart rate up, but will also help with flexibility, stamina, strength and balance. Did we mention it’s tons of fun? | ND INFO: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Beginner support at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. $5/class or $50/quarter. First Congregational Church, 900 High St., Santa Cruz. For more info, call Dotty at 423-6165, or Colleen at 535-2997.
An exhibition based on both volumes of Dunn’s “Santa Cruz Is in the Heart” writings will be held at the Museum of Art & History from Aug. 30 through Dec. 1. See GT Cover Story.
First Friday Art Tour
firstfridaysantacruz.com The First Friday Art Tour is a Santa Cruz Institute of Contemporary Arts event, managed in conjunction with the participating art venues. The event takes place year-round and illuminates some of the most talented local artists from local galleries. Log on to the event website for full details, but this one is a must-do. (Most First Friday galleries are open between noon and 9pm.)
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