Hi friends,
So, which legendary figure in public television journalism turns 90 years old the very same day that Lookout Santa Cruz holds its first Trivia Night event of the summer (Wednesday, June 5, 6:30 p.m., Abbott Square)? Yes! It’s the great Bill Moyers (one of my idols). See how good you are at this? So, why not come out and be with us? It’s free, fun and super friendly.
Now, on with the show.
This Just In!
A couple of hot notable newly booked shows at Moe’s Alley: On July 16, the great Tejano singer-songwriter Alejandro Escovedo comes to Moe’s, and a month later, on Aug. 13, the one-of-a-kind old-school country guitar god Junior Brown pays a visit. Also, look for the fabulous jazz guitarist Russell Malone on Sept. 18 at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center, as well as the soul-jazz band the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio on Sept. 26. And look for the return of the legendary South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, playing the Rio Theatre on July 24.
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 Welcome-to-June B9:
MAH goes Wes Anderson
OK, photographers and film buffs, you have the summer. Now, let’s get busy.
The Museum of Art & History in Santa Cruz will be accepting submissions of photos and videos of Santa Cruz County in the unmistakable visual style of filmmaker Wes Anderson — you know, quirky subject matter centered in the image, faintly magical locations, pastel colors, perfect symmetry, etc.
The exhibit is to be titled “Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures in Santa Cruz,” and will open at the MAH in January 2025. It will showcase the Wes Anderson aesthetic with images from around the world, but it will also include local images from local artists.
To participate, well, watch a lot of Wes Anderson movies, absorb the style and start shooting. All images of Santa Cruz County and/or the Monterey Bay area qualify, from images of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, particularly the 100-year-old Giant Dipper, to (if you’re looking for location ideas) the old Davenport jail and the Mansion House Hotel in Watsonville. Once you have your Wes Anderson masterpiece, submit.
Your deadline is Sept. 13.
Jewel’s final curtain call
Last Sunday afternoon, I had the privilege to be present at a historic occasion, the final performance of Jewel Theatre Company, after 20 years and 72 productions. It was the final matinee of the run of “Always … Patsy Cline,” with Jewel’s artistic director, Julie James, in the title role, alongside her longtime friend and co-star Diana Torres Koss as Patsy superfan Louise.
Along with her mother, Mary James (and several others within her family and without), Julie James had built Jewel into one of Santa Cruz’s most beloved arts organizations. But more than a year ago, Julie James announced that 2024 would be Jewel’s final season.
After belting out Patsy Cline’s greatest songs for two hours, Julie emerged on stage after the show to acknowledge the standing ovation from the capacity crowd. It was at this point where the play’s director, and longtime Jewel employee, Shaun Carroll came out on stage, dressed in a nightgown and cap like the narrator in “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Everyone was fighting back tears, but Carroll was especially emotional reading a message from his Jewel colleague Kelly Mack on the deep effect that Jewel had had on all those who worked there as actors, directors and/or crew. At that point, Carroll mentioned that Jewel had employed almost 500 people in its performances over the years, and he then introduced many of them who suddenly appeared from the wings to stand beside Julie James at this special moment.
Carroll, choking back tears, then evoked Dorothy’s powerful goodbye to the Scarecrow at the end of “The Wizard of Oz,” when he turned to Julie and struggled to say, “I think I’m going to miss you most of all.”
It was a wonderfully human moment, but it only scratches the surface of the deep influence that the James family and Jewel have had on the arts community here. We’re all going to miss you, Jewel. In fact, we already do.
‘New Car’ show
While we’re in the world of theater, let’s give a big shout-out to the latest production from Mountain Community Theater that has been getting a lot of attention lately. It’s called “Becky’s New Car,” from playwright Steven Dietz, and it’s a screwball comedy that morphs into a warm-hearted meditation on mid-life and second chances.
The MCT production, starring Shireen Doyle, Dave Halper and Dusty Harker, has two more weekends at Park Hall in Ben Lomond. See what the buzz is about.
RMF weekend
If you live in the San Lorenzo Valley, there’s no way that Redwood Mountain Faire weekend is going to take you by surprise. Every June, Roaring Camp in Felton becomes the gathering spot for people in and outside the mountain communities that hug Highway 9 north of Santa Cruz.
This weekend, the Faire cranks up again, Saturday and Sunday, with more than two dozen live musical acts performing on three stages, with revenues from ticket sales devoted to helping local service organizations.
Who’s a must-see? Well, all of them, of course. But outside the headlining acts — local faves The Coffis Brothers and longtime Jerry Garcia collaborator Melvin Seals with the fine local Dead-centric band China Cats — there are some gems.
I’m particularly partial to Wolf Jett, one of Santa Cruz’s most promising bands, who headline the Creekside Stage on Sunday evening. Also, do yourself a favor and bring a little hip-hop into your life with veteran Bay Area rapper Lyrics Born, the stage name for the super-talented Tom Shimura, whose propulsive, bold sound might be your next musical obsession (Meadow Stage, Saturday). Many at this year’s Faire will already know SLV native Taylor Rae, an ambitious and dynamic performer with her eye on bigger things (Meadow Stage, Saturday). Also, look for the immortal Banana Slug String Band, a group of teachers who, decades ago now, decided to meld science education and musical entertainment, becoming legends in the meantime (Henflings Stage, Sunday).
There’s more — so much more — or you can just show up to enjoy the vibes and nice SLV sunshine. Either way, you’ll be supporting the nonprofit infrastructure that the valley depends on. Get your tickets soon.
… Or, get with the Scene
Not to be outdone in the bands-for-your-buck department, on Friday, June 7, at the Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Santa Cruz, 15 bands will drop in on the Santa Cruz Scene Celebration, beginning at 2:30 p.m. and churning on into the night. The young indie bands, emerging out of the university scene, will each get a half-hour on stage, then it’s on to the next band, culminating in a headlining performance by Trestles, which recently performed at the Nexties, as Band of the Year. And, it’s all for $10.
Earworm of the Week
The voice of actor Scarlett Johansson has, curiously, been a news item as of late, and in that spirit, we continue on with our look at great songs by duos through the decades with the 2010s and an aspect of ScarJo’s voice you might not know about. Outside of playing Black Widow, and becoming the highest-earning female actor in the world for a time, Johansson was also blessed with musical talent which she has indulged in on a number of platforms, including alongside singer-songwriter Pete Yorn in a couple of recordings. The two first recorded together in 2009, and then followed up their well-received first album with a five-song EP in 2018 — that’s what happens when your side job is movie star, I suppose. I found myself drawn in by the pair’s smart, seductive sound, most especially in the bouncy “Bad Dreams,” which employs that trick that I always find appealing, mixing anxious and searching lyrics with sweet and snappy melodies. Call it the Kettle Corn Effect, the sweet and the salty, not abstract separate opposites, but one complex whole. Isn’t that what life really tastes like anyway?
All the Earworms in one place
For those who’ve been following my Earworm of the Week, I’ve assembled a playlist that contains them all.
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.