Santa Cruz Good Times

Thursday | May 17
Song Tasting Series
Hold on tight because four songwriting competition finalists will usher in the May installment of the Song Tasting Series this Thursday at Backstage Lounge. The first three to take the stage have dominated the M.A.R.S. songwriting competition in the last three years: series host/balladeer Midyne, who specializes in ethereal jazz-folk; the Bay Area’s own rock songbird, Becki diGregorio; and local acoustic guitar wizard, Matt Conable. Though GT recently interviewed Conable about his role as frontman for The Spokesmen, at this unique gig, Conable will ride solo and unleash his stripped-down, unplugged originals. Nashville-based country-folk star Claudia Nygaard—winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival “New Folk” Songwriting Competition in 2004—will round out the night. | JENNA BROGAN
INFO: 7 p.m. Backstage Lounge, 1209 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 469-9900.

 

Friday | May 18
Tiny Television
Born in Santa Fe, NM, raised in Denver, Colo., and matured in San Francisco, Americana outfit Tiny Television, steered by the multi-talented Jeremy D’Antonio, carries its unique amalgam of folk-pop with country twang to The Crepe Place this weekend. Armed with an arsenal of original songs inspired by authentic stories of real people, raw emotion, and D’Antonio’s gritty yet enchanting vocals, the band is sure to win over Santa Cruzans. Just don’t let the genre fool you—these guys can switch gears between catchy toe-tappers like “Carolina,” and darker, more reflective numbers (see “I Need You”) at the drop of a cowboy hat. | JB
INFO: 9 p.m. Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $8. 429-6994.

 

Wunmi & The Afrofunk Experience
Wunmi was first discovered as a dancer in the nightclubs of London, England, where she gyrated to the funky beats of international DJs and secured her role as an original character in a wildly colorful scene. But it was behind the microphone that Wunmi truly blossomed—rebranding Afrobeat culture as a futuristic lioness roaring loud and proud. Lyrically radical and physically explosive, Wunmi is now at the core of anything with an afro or a beat. Opening her show on Friday at Moe’s Alley will be The Afrofunk Experience—a dancehall sensation that reduces audiences to puddles of pure pleasure. | DNA
INFO: 9 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $12/adv, $15/door. 479-1854.

School Days ARTSEEN
Do you love dodgeball, spelling bees, story time, wacky science experiments, and crazy hair days? If so, you’ll go bonkers for this month’s Third Friday event at the MAH, entitled “School Days.” An evening of school spirit co-run by the students of Santa Cruz public schools, School Days offers fun activities for kids of all ages—think live music by high school bands, chess tournaments, math and history contests, freeze tag, a yearbook photobooth, and so much more. Make sure to check out all the student art which will be on display, and don’t forget to bring a T-shirt, tote bag, or other piece of clothing to the silk screening workshop, where you can brand your prized possession with the MAH logo. | JB ~ INFO: 5-9 p.m. Friday, May 18. Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. $5/general, $3/students. santacruzmah.org.

Friday-Thur | May 18-24
Master Mantak Chia Visits Santa Cruz
On a mission to make Taoist practices accessible and practical for Western audiences, world-renowned Taoist Master Mantak Chia will host a series of workshops at the Santa Cruz Chi Center, beginning Friday, May 18. Each of the four workshops will be a combination of lecture, guided meditation and exercises led by Mantak Chia. The first will focus on Eastern secrets of sex, enlightenment, and vitality; the second will be an introduction to Kan and Li; the third centers on medical Qui Gong and cosmic healing; and the final workshop teaches Chi Nei Tsang or abdominal massage. | JB
INFO: 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, May 18; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 19-20; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 21-22; and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 23-24. Santa Cruz Chi Center, 2-1511B East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz. $35-$225. 465-9088. santacruzchicenter.com.

Saturday | May 19th
1st Annual Work for Youth Talent Showcase
Local Santa Cruz County High School & College Students light-up the stage in support of the Work4Youth: Summer Employment Program. Hosted by Santa Cruz' own, Tandy Beal, this will be a memorable evening of music, dance, laughter and fun as you're entertained by the "Best of the Best"  Special Guest Performance by Tess Dunn.
Crocker Theatre, Cabrillo College.  VIP Reception 5p.m. Show 7p.m.
Tickets: VIP (Gala Reception & Preferred Seating): $100. General: $ 20. Student (under 24): $ 10
To purchase tickets please visit work4youth.org. Event Poster click here. brownpapertickets.com
All proceeds benefit The Summer Youth Employment Program, providing work and training skills for at-risk youth in Santa Cruz County.

Antdog Da Beast
INFO: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 19. Cabrillo College Crocker Theater, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. $10-$20. 479-6154 or visit brownpapertickets.com; visit work4youth.org. for details. >> See: Love Your Local Band >

The Avengers Be Our Guest
Few bands could play just 100 shows and leave an indelible mark on the music scene. But The Avengers did it. Between June 1977 and June of 1979 the San Francisco punk outfit released a three-song EP, appeared with the Sex Pistols, recorded with Pistols’ guitarist Steve Jones, and headlined with the X, the Go-Go’s, and the Dead Kennedys. Soon after, the band broke up and left fans disillusioned. Though the lineup has changed over the years, a reincarnation of the band will head to The Crepe Place this week, where fans can remember the magic that was The Avengers. | JB
INFO: 9 p.m. Saturday, May 19. Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $12. 429-6994. WANT TO GO?: Tell us why on the Good Times Facebook page by 11 a.m. Friday, May 18, and you could win two free tickets. Photo: Ethan Hill

Busker’s Showcase
If you were to take the best street performers Santa Cruz has to offer and put them in an acoustically perfect room, you would get the Busker’s Showcase. The diverse lineup kicks off with the Edward Abbey and John Muir of folk singers, Laura Jean Anderson and Adam Foley, who serve up sometimes haunting, but always mesmerizing tunes about the great Pacific Northwest. Next up, Moss Landing Fish Market buskers Bean Creek will offer some of the heartiest bluegrass you’ll ever hear. And finally, Luke and Kyle of The Abbott Brothers—who have been wowing crowds on Pacific Avenue since they were children—will show off their inspiring blend of swing, jazz and grass. | DNA
INFO: 7 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $12. 427-2227.

James Durbin
Santa Cruz’s own karaoke king turned iTunes-topper James Durbin makes a triumphant return to his hometown this weekend. Ready to rock The Boardwalk for the second time since taking fourth on American Idol—his first homecoming concert at the venue, which took place on May 17, 2011 or “Durbin Day,” boasted more than 30,000 attendees—Durbin’s stop is one of many that make up his first-ever national tour. The tour kicked off on April 12 in Los Angeles and has since taken Durbin as far as New York in support of his debut effort, Memories of a Beautiful Disaster. Come find out why the album reached No. 8 on Billboard’s Rock Album chart and debuted at No. 36 on its Top 200 Album chart, at this free performance by the celebrated local. | JB
INFO: 5:30 p.m. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz. No Cover.

Cindy’s Celebrations’ Annual Fundraiser
Cindy’s Celebrations—a local nonprofit that provides seniors, particularly shut-ins, with a five- or six-hour outing that includes lunch, transportation, games, fun, and friendship—will kick off its annual fundraising barbeque at 3 p.m. on Saturday in Watsonville. Learn more about the organization, dance to ’50s music by The Sparkletones, chow down on chicken and tri-tip, and find out how to get involved with Cindy’s Celebrations. | JB ~ INFO: 3-7 p.m. The home of Roger and Kimberley Dawn Findley, 220 Peaceful Oaks Lane, Watsonville. $30/adults, $15/kids (16 and under). Tickets available at the door. For more info, call 722-6780.

Our Water Future: Searching for Solutions
The community is invited to join the discussion surrounding water solutions for Santa Cruz County this weekend at the Santa Cruz Police Community Room, where a panel of local water professionals will tackle the issues. The program features Bill Kocher, director of the Santa Cruz Water Department since 1985, Toby Goddard, water conservation manager for the City of Santa Cruz, and Dan Kriege, a civil engineer and member of the Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors. Together, the panel will provide background information about water supply conditions, current and projected threats, conservation, options for future supply, and the status of environmental review for the desalination option, in addition to answering questions. Bagels and coffee provided. | JB INFO: 10 a.m. Santa Cruz Police Community Room (Laurel and Center Streets). No Cover. Open to public.

Saturday-Sun. | 19-20
Santa Cruz Rejuvenation Festival
Come celebrate Spring at San Lorenzo Park with the second annual Santa Cruz Rejuvenation Festival. The free two-day event features 25 entertainment acts on three stages, including live music, dance, and drumming, plus magic and storytelling for kids. Attendees will enjoy performances by renowned saxophonist Charles Neville, Grammy nominee Youssoupha Sidibe and the Mystic Rhythms Band, Jamaican recording artist Sister Carol, and a slew of talented local bands. In between sets, attendees can learn about sustainable living through workshops and take free yoga classes. The eco-fair boasts eco-friendly goods, clothing, crafts, organic food, and alternative healing for a donation. | JB ~ INFO: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. San Lorenzo Park, 137 Dakota St., Santa Cruz. No Cover. For event schedule, visit rejuvenationfestival.com.

Sunday | May 20
Bill Kirchen
Bill Kirchen may be infamous for his stint as Commander Cody’s guitar whiz, but when you hear the sounds he can make on a Telecaster you’ll realize he’s much more than a Lost Planet Airman. After four decades of accompanying bright souls like Emmylou Harris, Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello, Kirchen has crafted a new CD, Word to the Wise, which features duets with the aforementioned artists and others like Dan Hicks and Maria Muldaur. For Word to the Wise, Kirchen shook rockabilly on its leathered ear and added his own personal concoction of country, blues, Western swing and truck driving music. The result? Dieselbilly. A founding father of the alt-country scene, Kirchen should be welcomed with beers and cheers. | DNA
INFO: 7 p.m. Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $15. 603-2294.

Spring Reskilling Expo GREENFIX
Learn how to strengthen local resilience this weekend, at the Spring Reskilling Expo—a day-long event at the Museum of Art & History that offers low-cost sustainable living-skills education to Santa Cruz County residents. The series of workshops (each one hour and 20 minutes long) were designed to teach hands-on gardening practices, home maintenance techniques, traditional crafts, cooking with medicinal herbs, efficient water use, and more. Taught by experts in each field, the workshops are meant to be educational as well as practical. Find out more at reskillingexpo.org. JENNA BROGAN INFO: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 20. Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. $5-25, sliding scale. ~ For complete event schedule, visit reskillingexpo.org.

Sing out for SEVA!
In an effort to promote healthy living and curb the diabetes epidemic within the Native American population, Seva—a Berkeley, Calif.-based nonprofit that provides financial resources and technical expertise to help communities build sustainable solutions to poverty and disease—will host a benefit concert at The Rio Theatre this Sunday. Bay Area icon and Seva co-founder Wavy Gravy will host the event, which features performances by Steve Earle, John Trudell, Peter Rowan, Nina Gerber, Jim Lauderdale, Dave Alvin, and Jeremy Goodfeather. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate, while listening some hip, live music. | JB INFO: 8 p.m. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $45. For advance tickets, call (866) 558-4253, or visit inticketing.com.

Monday | May 21
Santa Cruz Guitar Orchestra
INFO: 7:30 p.m. UCSC Music Center Recital Hall, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. $23/general, $20/seniors, $16/students. For tickets, visit santacruztickets.com, or call 459-2159. >> See: Love Your Local Band >

Tuesday | May 22
Ali Handal plays at 7:30 p.m. at Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. Tickets are $8/adv, $10/door. Call 603-2294. >> See: Feature Article >

Wednesday | May 23
Dev
Whether you recognize her name or not, chances are at some point in the last two years, one of Dev’s electropop megahits has been stuck in your head. After her song “Booty Bounce” was sampled in Far East Movement’s single “Like a G6”—which reached No. 1 on the charts and sold more than three million downloads—Dev was signed to Universal Republic and she became a staple on Top 40 radio seemingly overnight. Since then, her dance-ready tracks “Bass Down Low” and “In the Dark” have garnered throngs of fans worldwide. And with hair like Rihanna, Lady Gaga’s lack of inhibition, and Ke$ha’s style, Dev’s upcoming show at The Catalyst is guaranteed to be packed and sweaty. | JB
INFO: 8 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $18/adv, $20/door. 423-1338. 16+.

Thursday-Thursday | May 3-31 
UCSC Arts Dean’s Lecture Series 
In order to address questions regarding what museums will look like in the future and how they will bridge art, science, and other disciplines, the 2012 Arts Dean’s Lecture Series has invited a host of experts in the field to UC Santa Cruz to broaden our minds on the topic. The series, which kicked off on April 12 and runs every Thursday through May 31, continues this week with a presentation by Susan Vogel, professor of African art and architecture and founder of the Museum for African Art in New York. Sylvia Wolf (director of the Henry Art Gallery), Doris Ash, the faculty of the UCSC Department of Anthropology, and professor and scholar Barbara Stafford will take over the podium in the weeks to follow. | JB INFO: 6 p.m. Thursdays. UCSC Media Theater, Theater Arts Center, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. No Cover. Parking is $3. 459-2787.