➤ Here’s a documentary film you’re not going to see mentioned in any local daily newspaper. It’s called “Stripped for Parts,” and it tells the story of how local journalism has been turned upside down by rapacious hedge-fund investors, including Alden Capital which now owns almost every newspaper in the greater Bay Area (including the Santa Cruz Sentinel). Yes, we here at Lookout Santa Cruz are hosting the screening of this important and blunt-force film, alongside the great statewide news organization CalMatters. Come out to learn why it matters that local news has been “stripped for parts” by seeing the film, and sticking around for a panel discussion on the subject, all at the beautiful Del Mar in Santa Cruz next Wednesday, Sept. 24. You’ll never look at the newspaper industry quite the same.
➤ There is a company called The Rave Factory that’s holding big Welcome Week Rave events in college towns across the U.S. this month. And Santa Cruz is on the list. On Tuesday, the Santa Cruz Civic will be transformed with a 360-degree boiler room stage for the DJ, with plenty of laser effects and, we can only presume, big EDM energy all around. Rave on, Slugs, both returning and new. We missed you.
➤ If you weren’t there, it’s impossible to understand just how much 1980 belonged to one synth-pop song with a robotic vocal called “Cars.” The song, which sounded like it was created on a Nintendo console, was the masterwork of British-born Gary Numan, who emerged from the punk scene and headed straight to electronic synth pop. It’s an entire wing of the music scene now, but just remember Gary Numan was there first. He performs live at The Catalyst on Saturday.
➤ Yes, they’re creepy, kooky and altogether ooky, but the Addams Family is also beloved, across generations. Mountain Community Theater gets that, which is why the San Lorenzo Valley’s favorite theater company is mounting “The Addams Family” musical — and, in case you’re wondering, yes, adorably dark little Wednesday is at the center of it all. It’s too much fun to overlook. The production opens Friday and runs weekends through Oct. 19.
➤ The 418 Project in Santa Cruz is the site for a one-night-only cabaret-style performance art piece dedicated to iconic Black women artists. The show is called “ICONS,” and it features a wide variety of styles, all in tribute to great 20th-century Black women. Dress up and come enjoy the speakeasy vibe at The 418 on Saturday night.
➤ I’ve had the privilege to interview Paula Poundstone a couple of times, and if I’ve ever talked to anyone more upbeat and honest, I can’t remember them. The veteran stand-up comic has become an icon for her work on NPR’s “Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me.” And she brings her own uniquely crafted Poundstonian style to the Rio Theatre on Friday.
➤ The summer is over, but Santa Cruz Shakespeare decidedly is not. This year marks the second fall season at SCS, and the offering this time is Athol Fugard’s “‘Master Harold’ … and the Boys,” a searing and illuminating period piece about the subtleties and complexities of racism in mid-century South Africa. The new production runs through Saturday.
➤ Monday’s an off-night for theater at The Audrey Stanley Grove, so why not rock a little. The Surf City Allstars is the feature band in this week’s Monday Revels series at the Grove. They are a Beach Boys tribute band made up of musicians who have all actually played in the Beach Boys band. Are you ready for some fun, fun, fun? Monday at 7 p.m.
➤ The New York band The Lone Bellow is made up of a trio of transplanted Southerners bringing their own Americana perspective to their tuneful sound, laced with country, gospel, rhythm & blues and whatever it is the Lumineers have going on. The Lone Bellow comes to Felton Music Hall next Thursday, Sept. 25.
