Hi friends,
This week Lookout Santa Cruz turns 5, and as someone who has been part of the crew since Day 1, I must say how fulfilling and fun — and unexpected — this ride has been. Frankly, in the fall of 2020, I had a doubt or two about whether a new local news media venture could survive, knee-deep in a worldwide pandemic and with American democracy under siege. But today, Lookout’s future looks even brighter than it did then. Mad respect goes out to all my dedicated colleagues at Lookout, but especially to our founder and visionary leader, Ken Doctor. That’s how it’s done, folks.
Now, on with the show.
THIS JUST IN
She’s one of the greatest in American country music, period. It’s the amazing Emmylou Harris, who has been booked to perform live at the Santa Cruz Civic on April 18. The singer-songwriter behind the legendary American rock band Wilco, Jeff Tweedy, comes to the Rio in Santa Cruz on March 24. The very smart stand-up comedian Cristela Alonzo will be at the Rio on March 27. The traditional Irish band Lunasa returns to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on March 28. Former Gov’t Mule guitar god Warren Haynes performs Feb. 15 at the Rio. And, just like last year, we’ll have dueling productions of “The Nutcracker” happening on the same weekend, Dec. 20-21, at the Santa Cruz Civic and the Crocker Theater at Cabrillo College.
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.
Winter’s coming
The holiday season is fast approaching, and that means a few annual traditions are on the way back in Santa Cruz County. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is prepping for its “Winter Wonderland” season with special events, seasonally appropriate food items, discounts on rides, fire pits and holiday s’mores (yes, please!) and holiday-themed light shows, taking place every 15 minutes. It’s all set to begin Nov. 27, Thanksgiving Day.
Not to be outdone, the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds gets cranked up the following day, Nov. 28, for its “Sparky’s Holiday Lights” show, the county fair’s annual drive-through lights extravaganza, through Dec. 24. As part of the fair’s holiday season, the Germanic folk character Krampus makes a comeback on Dec. 4. Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon figure embraced as a symbol of good Christmas fun throughout Europe and much of the world. This year, Krampus makes an appearance in Santa Cruz amid vendors, holiday food and drink and gifts.
Stay tuned for more holiday-themed news and events coming up.
CHECK THIS OUT
Best 9: Top events for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, Nov. 20-27
THIS WEEK IN A&E
The mystery of Mom and Dad: Surfer Kyle Thiermann advises on how to get to know your parents, and yourself, on a deeper level
Writer, podcaster and big-wave surfer Kyle Thiermann has written his first book, which serves as both a memoir of growing up in the surf community in Santa Cruz and a practical guide in getting to know your parents better.
Bob Dylan tribute show at Kuumbwa Jazz to raise funds for Housing Matters
Housing Matters will be the beneficiary of a Nov. 21 tribute to Bob Dylan at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center to help raise money for the Santa Cruz nonprofit’s shelters and other programs.
Santa Cruz’s John Malkin explores the spiritual underpinnings of punk rock in new book ‘Punk Spirit!’
Santa Cruz journalist, filmmaker and musician John Malkin brings together two unlikely subjects, punk rock and spirituality, in his new oral history, “Punk Spirit!” The book explores the many religious/spiritual traditions that punk musicians have embraced, as well as the spiritual dimensions of art, music […]
Santa Cruz Opera Project pairs arias with ales at Woodhouse Brewing
On Nov. 29 and 30, the Santa Cruz Opera Project will be hosting “Opera on Tap” at Woodhouse Blending and Brewing on the edge of downtown.
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.