Hi friends,
Less than two weeks ago, the phrase “coconut-pilled” was pure gibberish. Now, it’s a movement poised to save American democracy. What buzz phrase will be dominating political discourse a month from now? Go ahead and give it your wildest guess. You can’t possibly out-weird reality.
Now, on with the show.
THIS JUST IN
Well-known rapper Lupe Fiasco will drop in to The Catalyst for a show Nov. 22. The fine jazz singer Kandace Springs is due at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center Nov. 11. Talented folk musician Jake Blount teams up with Indigenous bassist/composer Mali Obomsawin for a show at Kuumbwa Jan. 16. The LA band Dirty Honey will perform at The Catalyst Oct. 31. The French-born jazz singer Cyrille Aimée plays Oct. 21 at the Kuumbwa. And British-born soul/R&B singer James Hunter comes to Moe’s Alley Sept. 22. Check out our curated list of the best in upcoming performances and appearances in Santa Cruz County in Down the Line.
Here they are, nine necessary know-abouts for the week ahead. It’s the B9:
RIVERA REACHES ‘HEIGHTS’
As you might expect, the new Cabrillo Stage production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights” is chock full of amazing young performers that we’re all likely to hear more from one day. But, for longtime Santa Cruz County theater fans, there is at least one welcome and familiar face in the cast, the magnificent actor and singer Lori Rivera.
Lori plays Claudia, the wise but lively abuelita among her much younger co-stars, and in many ways, her character not only is the heart of the play, but her presence represents a strong continuity from Cabrillo Stage’s glorious past to its exciting present and promising future.
Lori’s history as a performer on local stages goes back more than 30 years as an actor and jazz singer, not only in staged musicals but in her one-woman show “Smoke” (that’s going back a few years).
The new production of “In the Heights,” delving into the stress-filled but joyous lives of people living in upper Manhattan, is a blast to watch, especially when there is such a masterful performer showing the young folks how it’s done. Congratulations to a Santa Cruz original.
CHEERS FOR DIANE
I wanted to take a moment to raise a glass to Diane Cypher, who has been tirelessly managing the Soquel-based Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre for 25 years. Diane announced last week that the ballet academy will close its doors this summer, but the many ballet artists it has placed in dance companies across the country speak to its amazing record and high standards.
Santa Cruz is diminished by not having SCBT around, but now is a moment not for mourning, but for congratulations to Diane and all those around her who’ve supported local ballet for generations.
HERE COMES CABRILLO MUSIC
It’s an exciting moment in downtown Santa Cruz whenever the two-week Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music moves in. The ambitious and energetic orchestral music festival, under the masterful leadership of Cristian Măcelaru, has a bold agenda for 2024. Check it out.
‘TIES THAT BIND’
First Friday is upon us again, and among the highlights this month is the opening of an intriguing art show at M.K. Contemporary Art in downtown Santa Cruz. “Ties That Bind” celebrates coupledom, with pieces of art created by artist pairs, as expressed through marriage, family or mentorship. This exploration of the idea of partnership has some big names in the Santa Cruz art world attached, including Ann Morhauser and Taylor Reinhold (she’s the fabulous glass artist known as AnnieGlass; and he’s her son, perhaps the county’s most well-known muralist), and Joe Ortiz and Gayle Ortiz (he a playwright and artist and she the famous restaurateur and namesake baking queen of Capitola).
The artist tandems will all be out in force on Friday, at M.K., right next door to the Museum of Art & History on Front Street, from 6 to 8 p.m. Make it part of your First Friday experience.
SEE THE A’S AND THE T’S
So, Oakland’s having a moment, right? On one hand, it’s losing its longtime MLB franchise, the Oakland Athletics, facing final home dates at the Coliseum before splitting for Las Vegas (or is it Sacramento? I’m losing track). On the other hand, Oakland may be on the verge of giving America its first woman president.
One Oakland phenomenon I’m looking forward to is the T Sisters, the harmony-singing East Bay folk trio set to perform live at Felton Music Hall Aug. 9. The trio are indeed sisters — Chloe, Erika and Rachel Tietjen — and they’ve performed in and around Santa Cruz County for years. Older fans of the Roches will tell you there’s nothing quite as haunting as blood-sister harmonies, and the Tietjen sisters are one of the finest examples around.
FREE NATIONAL PARKS
Sunday is one of only six days of the year during which entrance to national parks is free. Maybe this is the weekend to visit the closest one, the breathtaking Pinnacles National Park in southern San Benito County. Numbers to consider — Entrance fees you’d be saving: $30 per vehicle, or $15 per person. Miles from downtown Santa Cruz: about 72 miles. Expected high temperature at Pinnacles on Sunday: 95 degrees.
TRIVIA COMING
Lookout’s popular Trivia Night at Abbott Square is poised to return on Wednesday evening, Aug. 7. And, as a little gift to all those trivia buffs who’ve reached the bottom of my newsletter, I’m offering up this trivia question that will be part of the contest next Wednesday. I won’t give the answer, but you’ll have a leg up by knowing the question:
The highest peak in California is Mt. Whitney at about 14,500 feet above sea level, second in the U.S. only to Alaska (which has Denali). Which state in the U.S. has the lowest highest natural peak?
Take advantage of the hint and come out for the event, which starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. It’s free, but we’d love for you to register.
JUST TO MAKE YOU FEEL OLD
It was 37 years ago this week that a little movie called “The Lost Boys” was unleashed on the world. Find a cool way to celebrate.
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.