Hi friends,
Welp, if you like your dark irony served piping hot, there’s this: Last Sunday broke the record for the single hottest day ever recorded across the globe in human history. And then, Monday broke that record. Meanwhile, the most popular movie of the summer is a movie about extreme weather that never mentions climate change. We’re all on the same bus here, people. But apparently, Thelma and Louise are driving it.
Now, on with the show.
THIS JUST IN
Last week, we reported the wrong date for the newly booked Santa Cruz Comedy Festival. That event will take place Oct. 4, at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz. One of the foremost authorities on the geological issues on the West Coast and a great Santa Cruzan, Gary Griggs, will celebrate the publication of his new book at Bookshop Santa Cruz on Oct. 1. A couple of jazz legends, guitarist Lee Ritenour and composer/pianist Dave Grusin, come together at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Oct. 3. One of the finest hip-hop artists to call the Bay Area home is Lyrics Born. His latest visit to Moe’s Alley is set for Oct. 11. Rising young singer-songwriter Livingston is to play at The Catalyst on Dec. 3. And if you like Steely Dan and the Grateful Dead, wait until you get a load of Steely Dead, playing Oct. 25 at Felton Music Hall.
Be sure to check out Lookout’s carefully curated and constantly updated planning guide, Down the Line, for the staggering riches and amazing choices awaiting Santa Cruz audiences. It’s our look ahead at the best shows, concerts and events through the rest of the year at clubs, stages and venues all over the county.
Here they are, nine necessary know-abouts for the week ahead. It’s the Wow-it’s-hot-out B9:
The original Raging Granny
What a joy it was to visit recently with the wonderful Jan Harwood, the 93-year-old painter, writer and songwriter, and leader of the once-vibrant local protest group the Raging Grannies. Jan is something of a local legend, and she lived a legendary life, which is detailed in her new memoir titled “Patchwork.” She’ll be on hand to talk about her new book on Sunday afternoon at Bookshop Santa Cruz (2 p.m. start time). We hear that some of the surviving members of the Raging Grannies will be around, and they might even sing a song or two.
Shakespeare report
I had the pleasure last week of seeing my first Santa Cruz Shakespeare production of this historic season, opening night of “As You Like It” at the Audrey Stanley Grove. Sure, I may be a homer, but I am consistently amazed at the energy and zest with which this company presents its productions.
“As You Like It” is a big ball of fun, a gender-morphing romantic comedy (let’s face it, Shakespeare invented the romcom), with more than a little wisdom in the mix as well. The “All the world’s a stage” monologue which includes the “seven ages of man” is part of this play. It features central figures from SCS such as artistic director Charles Pasternak and the always versatile Patty Gallagher as Touchstone, the Fool. Plus, there’s wrestling! It plays through Sept. 1. Check out the goodies that Santa Cruz Shakespeare has in store this summer.
It happened here
It was an, um, unusual evening of live theater last Friday at The 418 Project, as Bookshop Santa Cruz hosted a live reading of the Sinclair Lewis play “It Can’t Happen Here — Again,” featuring guest readers including U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta and Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley. Because of the presence of those prominent political figures, the evening was disrupted by aggressive protesters. Check my perspective of a very Santa Cruz-style evening.
New theater company
Speaking of The 418, the nonprofit arts center is poised to debut its new theater company this fall, known as Muse of Fire (a title from Shakespeare’s “Henry V”). The new company is holding auditions next weekend for its first production, “Who Killed Simon Braggart?”, to open in October. Auditions are Saturday, Aug. 3, at 2 p.m. at The 418 Project on South River Street. “Simon Braggart” is a kind of 1940s noir sendup and murder mystery.
The 418’s executive director, Laura Bishop, said the organization has in fact been producing original theater for years. Muse of Fire only marks a new effort to bring those productions to wider audiences.
The play needs everything from actors to stagehands. Black, Indigenous and people of color and LGBTQ people are especially welcome to audition, which will include cold readings and brief monologues. For more info, reach out at museoffiresc@gmail.com.
RIP Jerry Miller
Raise a glass this week to the late, great Jerry Miller, guitarist for the amazing psychedelic band Moby Grape back in the 1960s. Several of the Moby Grapers had Santa Cruz connections, and Miller, who was once called the greatest guitar player in the world by no less than Eric Clapton, lived locally and played local clubs countless times, well after the heyday of Moby Grape. I remember seeing Miller perform live many years ago at Henfling’s in Ben Lomond, and it was a special experience. The man played guitar like he was born with one.
Keanu’s coming
The great Keanu Reeves is destined to visit Santa Cruz as part of the trio Dogstar, which is slated to perform live at The Catalyst on Sept. 15. Unlike so many other stars of his mega-wattage, Keanu is famously unassuming and likes to live a life as normal and genuine as possible, so it’s entirely possible he’ll be out and about, perhaps dropping into a surf shop for souvenir, a sidewalk cafe for a cup of something, or maybe out at Steamer Lane to see who’s out in the water.
This isn’t the first time Dogstar has played The Catalyst, so Keanu probably knows his way around just a little bit. So, around Sept. 15, keep your eyes open, give the man his space but let him know Santa Cruz loves him if you get the chance, and, if you really want an encounter, get a ticket to the show.
The music at TJ’s
As an old guy who grew up in the ’70s, I know just about every lyric of every song that plays at the Santa Cruz Trader Joe’s. But that’s not a good thing. I watch other shoppers — mostly younger than I am — for tell-tale signs that they’re digging the music, a bobbing of the head, silently mouthing the lyrics. I never see it.
So, I have two questions: Wouldn’t it be better for the mostly Gen X/millennial clientele if the in-store music updated at least to the ’90s? And, where do I go to get the surgery so I don’t know the lyrics of Supertramp?
Trivia again
July’s Lookout Trivia Night was a big hit earlier this month, and another is coming just around the bend, on Wednesday evening Aug. 7. We had a full event last time, and lots of fun, and we plan to go even bigger and better next time. It’s a free ticket, but we’d love for you to register.
Just to give you a taste, here’s a representative question from last time: In 1980, presidential candidate Ronald Reagan said that 80% of air pollution came from what?
The answer is funny, weird and sad.
That’s all I got, friends. Come at me with comments, ideas, complaints, or thundering insights. Thanks to all Lookout members for your faith and support, and please, spread the word on what we’re doing.