Santa Cruz Good Times

Tuesday | May 14
Pepper
You know you’ve made it big when your hit song from 2002 is one of KROQ’s—the renowned Pasadena, Calif.-based modern rock radio station—most played songs to date. The song in question is, of course, the wildly suggestive and unapologetic “Give It Up (Dirty Hot Sex)” off Pepper’s sophomore effort, Kona Town. You’d be hard-pressed to find a college kid today who hasn’t bounced to that reggae-rock anthem while grasping a red Solo cup at least once. Perhaps it’s because of the band’s nonstop touring schedule, or the fact that it has pumped out five wildly popular rock/reggae/ska albums over the course of its 16-year career, but Pepper remains as relevant as ever, with a fan base that never stops expanding. | JB
INFO: 8 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $20/adv, $24/door. 423-1338.

Wednesday | May 15
Big Boi
Though best known for producing Grammy Award-winning hip-hop/G-funk albums with André 3000 for OutKast, Big Boi has been touring in support of his solo work, consisting of songs off 2010’s Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty and 2012’s Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. Without his partner in crime, Big Boi’s show lacks in the harmony department, but fans can expect the same quick-spitting rhymes and infectious beats they’ve come to know and love. At last year’s Outside Lands music festival, Big Boi put on a dance-friendly set, and even threw in a couple OutKast hits to get the crowd going. Will Santa Cruz be in for something similar? Only time will tell. | JB
INFO: 8 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $26/adv, $30/door, $75/VIP meet & greet. 423-1338.

Foreverland
Few artists can get a dance party started quicker than the king of pop. Michael Jackson may no longer walk the earth, but his legacy lives on through countless cover bands. One such group, San Francisco’s own Foreverland, heads to Don Quixote’s this week for an evening of all your favorite hits—from “Billie Jean” to “Black or White” to “Man in the Mirror” to “P.Y.T.” With 14 band members breathing new life into the classics and a wide-open dance floor just waiting to be conquered, Friday night’s show is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. | JB  
INFO: 8 p.m. Friday, May 17. Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $15. 603-2294. 

Desperate Measures: Energy Politics in the New Millennium GREENFIX
Now that the sources of cheap fossil fuel energy are shrinking, extraction methods, including deep ocean drilling in hurricane-prone waters, fracking for oil and natural gas, and dismantling mountains of tar sands in Alberta, have become increasingly environmentally destructive. All community members are invited to attend a presentation on the topic at UC Santa Cruz on May 15. Victor Menotti, executive director of the International Forum on Globalization, will discuss the controversy over the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline, and Shannon Biggs of Global Exchange offer a talk called “California Communities Rising Against Fracking.” | JENNA BROGAN ~ INFO: 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 15. UC Santa Cruz Kresge Town Hall, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. $3/parking. For more info, visit kresge.ucsc.edu/commonground.

Thursday | May 16
Darol Anger & The Furies
Darol Anger has made a name for himself as one of the most versatile modern fiddlers and violinists in the music scene today. Credited with helping drive the evolution of the contemporary string band, Anger will demonstrate his masterful skills on Thursday at Don Quixote’s, where he will be accompanied by The Furies, a rotating cast of talented female musicians, including Maeve Gilchrist, Emy Phelps, Sharon Gilchrist and Brittany Haas. Together the artists’ talents are brought into harmonization around Anger’s vision. | JENNA BROGAN
INFO: 7:30 p.m. Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $15/adv, $18/door. 603-2294.

Friday | May 17
Eilen Jewell and Band
Though known for being the self-proclaimed “Queen of the Minor Key”—also the title of her 2011 album—Boston-based Americana rocker Eilen Jewell sure spreads plenty of pleasure through song. Incidentally, another one of her LP’s is titled Sea of Tears—we’d like to think it’s because Jewell and her backing trio’s onstage energy makes audiences sob uncontrollably (though happily). Santa Cruzans can catch this energetic act (who doesn’t love upright bass?) at Kuumbwa on Friday, as part of their West Coast spring tour. Jewell, often spotted wearing pearls, will not only be a sight for sore eyes, but will easily melt your heart as well. CYNTHIA ORGEL
INFO: 7:30 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $22. 479-9421. snazzyproductions.com. Photo: Liz Linder

Photography and Film
Photography and film come together during 3rd Friday in May at the MAH. The Santa Cruz Film Festival’s Mini Film Fest will screen short films made by local kids, students, and professional filmmakers. Plus, on the back patio, visitors can check out silent art films, 8mm films and historic Santa Cruz film footage. Several photography booths—from traditional portraiture to animated green screens and illustrations—will be available for those who want to take a pose with friends and family. Guests can partake in hands-on activities using film negatives, slides and old photographs, or create collage stop-motion animation. | JB
INFO: 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 17. Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. $5/general, $3/students, seniors and kids, Free/MAH members and under 3. 429-1964.

Friday/Sat. | May 17/18
Music in May
Created to expand and broaden the audience of classical music, impact youth, and increase awareness of and develop relationships with other local nonprofits, Music in May brings renowned musicians to Santa Cruz. This season, for the first time ever, Music in May will feature two concerts starring all female musicians. Violinist In Sun Jang of the San Francisco Symphony, cellist Sarah Romel, violist Alexandra Leem of the Santa Fe Opera, and Mim Artistic Director and violinist Rebecca Jackson will team up to perform Cesar Franck’s “Sonata,” Alberto Ginastera’s “Pampeana No. 2,” Enrique Granados’ “Piano Quintet,” and more. Arrive an hour early to hear a pre-concert lecture by Kai Christiansen. | JB
INFO: 7:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday. First Congregational Church, 900 High St., Santa Cruz. $20/adv, $25/door. 838-3006. brownpapertickets.com.

Friday-Sun. | May 17-19
Eat Like a Greek Food Faire
If you can’t get enough of the Greek Festival, held every September, then you’ll love the Eat Like a Greek Food Faire at Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church. A smaller, more intimate version of the festival, the faire features a wide variety of authentic Greek food and desserts, including moussaka, spanakopita, grilled marinated lamb souvlaki, and homemade pastries like diples and kataifi. This year, the faire will also offer a Greek Frappe, shaken by hand, just like the cafés in Greece. Beer, wine and Greek spirits will be flowing, plus live Greek music will be playing all day Friday and Saturday, followed by a DJ on Sunday. | JB
INFO: 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 12-8 p.m. Sunday. Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, 223 Church St., Santa Cruz. No cover. 429-6500.

Saturday | May 18
Devendra Banhart
Just two weeks prior to his 31st birthday, Devendra Banhart, the soothing, lo-fi folk/rock singer-songwriter, will grace The Rio with his presence and captivating music. The Venezuelan-American Gemini will perform songs from his newest record, Mala, released in March, and the opening track, “Golden Girls,” is a dead giveaway of what the night has in store: “Get on the dance floor.” So sway to your heart’s content and help celebrate another year of Banhart’s already fruitful life. | CEO
INFO: 8 p.m. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $25. 423-8209.

Santa Cruz Peace Chorale
Following 9/11, a choir was formed in Santa Cruz to protest the rush to war. The founding directors began inviting individuals and families to join what was originally called the Santa Cruz Family Peace Chorale in 2002. After 11 years, the choir—now known as the Santa Cruz Peace Chorale—is still going strong, with members gathering weekly to sing for peace and social justice under the direction of local folk singer Aileen Vance. On Saturday, the community is invited to hear the group perform live at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, where attendees will have an opportunity to learn more and enjoy a concert and silent auction. | JB
INFO: 7 p.m. Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, 2402 Cabrillo College Drive, Soquel. $15/door. No one turned away. 345-8862.

Santa Cruz Rejuvenation Festival
Now in its third year, the Santa Cruz Rejuvenation Festival returns to San Lorenzo Park this weekend for a day of family fun. More than 80 vendors will take part in the eco-fair and alternative healing village, where attendees can shop for everything from jewelry to clothing to organic gardening to eco-household products. Legendary Jamaican reggae artist Prezident Brown will perform on the main stage, in addition to Los Angeles hip-hop outfit Luminaries, Santa Cruz’s own Gina Rene, Steven Graves, Love Eternal, Afro-Funk Experience and many more talented acts. Kids will get a kick out of the wild animals brought by Zoo to You, and a performance by “the Mary Poppins of children’s music,” Linda Arnold. | JB
INFO: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. San Lorenzo Park, 137 Dakota St., Santa Cruz. No cover.

Sunday | May 19    
Kendl Winter
There’s a lot to like about Washington-native Kendl Winter: She’s a babe with a banjo (and guitar), she reps her hometown’s indie record label, K Records, and her gentle voice, which initially comes across as light and airy, lingers to the point that it feels everlasting—most likely because you have instinctively put her songs on repeat. Winter will head to The Crepe Place on Sunday, where fans can hear a wide variety of folk-tastic originals. Don’t be fooled by the title of last year’s release, The Mechanics of Hovering Flight—this is going to be one smooth set. | CEO Photo: Annaliese Moyer
INFO: 9 p.m. Crepe Place. 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $8. 429-6994.

Good Food Festival
The Resource Center for Nonviolence will host its first annual Good Food Festival this Sunday, with the theme “Good for you, Good for the Planet.” The first-ever vegetarian festival to hit Santa Cruz, the family-friendly event will feature a wide variety of international food, demonstrations by Joe Schultz of India Joze, a presentation by Bobcat Ridge Avocados and tasting of rare varieties, children’s activities, films about sustainable living, a yoga class, live music and more. Find out how you can reduce your climate footprint by eating lower on the food chain. JENNA BROGAN
INFO: Noon-6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 19. Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. No cover.

Guelaguetza in Santa Cruz
In an effort to celebrate and educate about the culture and traditions of Oaxaca, Mexico, the Regional Dance Group Centeotl of Santa Cruz and the Organization of Vive Oaxaca will host its annual “Guelaguetza” festival this weekend at Harbor High School. Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend the event, which attracts thousands of people annually and features numerous lively dance performances by children and adults, vibrant costumes, live music, and more. Funds raised support student scholarships. | JB
INFO: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Harbor High School, 300 La Fonda, Ave., Santa Cruz. $10/general, Free/under 5. 425-0338. viveoaxaca.com.

TEDxYouth@Watsonville
If you haven’t heard of TED by now, it started in 1984 as a conference devoted to bringing people together from three worlds: technology, entertainment, and design. Since then, its scope has expanded to include any and all “Ideas Worth Spreading.” With the goal of sparking deep conversations and connections, TEDx events are planned and coordinated independently within communities. Watsonville is gearing up for its first TEDxYouth conference, which will kick off at 10 a.m. on Sunday. The TEDxSanta Cruz team, Lori Butterwoth, and the Youth City Council members in Watsonville and Santa Cruz have joined forces to present the conference, which centers on the theme “Why Not? – ¿Por que no?” Numerous youth speakers and performers will address that question, discussing topics and sharing experiences as diverse as college, living with cancer, oppressed women, miracles, renewable energy, religion and gun violence. | JB
INFO: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mello Center for the Performing Arts, 250 East Beach St., Watsonville. $10. tedxwatsonvillenow-eorg.eventbrite.com.

Spring Dog Festival
Leash up your four-legged friend and bring Fido down to Soquel High School this weekend for Coastal Dogs’ annual Spring Dog Festival. The community event features contests, food, interactive sports, demonstrations (tricks, safety, search and rescue, etc.), information booths and a surf dog photo booth. Proceeds benefit dog-oriented charities involved with projects like literacy, low-cost spay and neuter, blankets for rescue dogs, humane education, shelter dog enrichment and more. | JB
INFO: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Soquel High School, 401 Old San Jose Road, Soquel. $10/dog, $5/person. Proceeds benefit dogs in need. 682-6972. coastaldogs.com. Photo: Nikki Brooks Photography

Monday | May 20
Sea Wolf
Sea Wolf’s most recent album, Old World Romance, kicks off with the lovable track, “Old Friend,” which seems like an obvious nod to us Sea Wolf fans, who age rather gracefully as we wait for the Los Angeles-based outfit, fronted by Alex Brown Church, to once again rock our minds with upbeat and expertly executed indie tunes. Well, wait no longer, because the band returns to town on Monday to headline Moe’s with special guests Savoir Adore. Here’s to hoping they play throwback track “You’re a Wolf.” Normally, that’s a rude accusation, but in this case, it’s an initiation into the Sea Wolf pack. | CEO
INFO: 8:30 p.m. Moe's Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $15/adv, $18/door. 479-1854.

Marcia Ball
Texas-born and Louisiana-raised, Marcia Ball performs a sizzling blend of zydeco, R&B, and Southern blues. A pianist, vocalist and songwriter, Ball mesmerizes audiences with her road-inspired lyrics, melodic voice and onstage charisma. On the road in support of her most recent album, 2011’s Roadside Attractions, Ball will make a stop by Kuumbwa Jazz on Monday, accompanied by local blues guitar master Mighty Mike Schermer. | JB
INFO: 7 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $24/adv, $27/door. 427-2227.

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 Be Our Guest
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.
WANT TO GO?: Tell us why on the Good Times Facebook page by 11 a.m. Friday, May 17, and you could win two free tickets.

In The Queue
Mobb Deep, The prolific hip-hop duo celebrates 20 years-Saturday at The Catalyst
David knopfler & Harry Bogdanovs, The co-founder of Dire Straits joins forces with his lifelong friend in honor of this unique acoustic performance-Saturday at Kuumbwa Jazz
UCSC West javanese gamelan, The 36th annual spring concert features dance, drumming and guitars-Sunday at UCSC Music Center Recital Hall
Driftwood Consort, A program of late 18th-century selections that span from baroque to classical-Sunday at St. John’s Episcopal Church
Whiskerman, High-energy rock/soul/folk music out of Oakland-Monday at The Pocket