Hi friends,
Local theater lovers who’ve seen the latest installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise might be dealing with a gnawing sense of recognition they can’t quite put their finger on. It’s the actor playing the role of Donloe, an ex-CIA agent now manning an outpost in arctic Alaska. He’s Rolf Saxon, and you may have seen him before — a lot, if you were a regular at Jewel Theatre in Santa Cruz. The 69-year-old actor actually played a small but crucial role, the same character in fact, in the very first “Mission: Impossible” almost 30 years ago. In between, he performed in several Jewel productions, including two originals from Santa Cruz playwright Kate Hawley, “Under Ben Bulben” and “Remains To Be Seen.” Yep, that’s where you’ve seen that guy before.
Now, on with the show.
THIS JUST IN
The Quarry Amphitheater on the campus of UC Santa Cruz is about to be Marley-ified. The Quarry recently announced a new concert featuring not one, but two sons of the iconic Bob Marley — veteran reggae musicians Damien “Jr. Gong” Marley and his half-brother Stephen Marley. The show is scheduled for Aug. 14, and tickets are on sale now. The always crowd-pleasing California Honeydrops drop in at The Catalyst on Nov. 22. Country singer John Moreland returns to Felton Music Hall on Oct. 3.
Juneteenth: It’s a safe bet that the emperor’s June 14 military parade in Washington won’t be pausing to recognize the country’s newest federal holiday, Juneteenth. But in Santa Cruz, we can all safely ignore the MAGA spectacle in D.C. by attending the Juneteenth celebration at Laurel Park at the London Nelson Community Center on June 14 from noon to 5 p.m. The event this year will feature the fine African musicians Samba Ngo and Mandjou Koné, along with the Juneteenth Choir, Alwa Gordon, Rastan and many others. The parade begins at city hall at noon that day, with honorary grand marshal Don Williams, the artistic director of UC Santa Cruz’s African American Theater Arts Troupe. It’s all free.
Lookout Trivia: Our own summer Trivia Night series is set to begin anew next Wednesday, June 4. Are you ready? Come do battle with all those brain curiosities you’re holding. It’s free, but please register.
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.
CHECK THIS OUT
Best 9: Top events for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, May 29-June 5
THIS WEEK IN A&E
Jesse Daniel, Love Creek and the mysteries and secrets of the San Lorenzo Valley
Aspiring country star Jesse Daniel releases a new album titled “Son of the San Lorenzo” that stakes his claim as the bard of the SLV, most notably with the lean, haunting rocker “The Ballad of Love Creek.” He debuts the album locally Saturday as the […]
Nearly 40,000 gather on Memorial Day weekend for Cali Roots festival
Organizers estimated that nearly 40,000 people attended Cali Roots at the Monterey County Fairgrounds over the Memorial Day long weekend. The festival is one of the country’s largest reggae and roots music events.
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.