Hi friends,
Is there an artist dead or alive who has had a more profound and enduring influence on California culture than Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys? Sure, most of that influence was based on a golden lie — the most powerful evangelist for the Southern California surfer lifestyle was not himself a surfer. But we can only guess at how many people found their way to California partly because of Wilson’s seductive, innovative, prismatic vision of the West Coast good life. And that includes Santa Cruz. Remember that Santa Cruz was the only surf break in Northern California among more than a dozen other surf spots listed in the hit song “Surfin’ U.S.A.” How did that one shout-out shape Santa Cruz in the decades following? No one can begin to calculate. We’ve lost a giant.
Now, on with the show.
THIS JUST IN
The Kuumbwa Jazz Center, on July 20, will host a concert featuring the entire Beatles’ “Revolver” album, plus the best of the 1960s-era group Badfinger, from a band that includes master musicians Laurence Juber and John Jorgenson. The day before, July 19, the UCSC Music Recital Hall will be the site for another supergroup, the Stick Men. On Aug. 29, the annual Valley of the Moon fiddling school will present its end-of-summer concert at the Santa Cruz Civic. And the longtime (way longtime) San Francisco band Flamin’ Groovies will play live at The Crepe Place on Sept. 6.
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.
Temple hosts peace leaders
Intriguing upcoming event at Temple Beth El in Aptos. TBE Rabbi Paula Marcus will host a conversation with peace activists Aziz Abu Sarah, a Palestinian, and Maoz Inon, an Israeli, on Monday evening. Both men have been personally touched by tragedy in the post-Oct. 7 Palestinian-Israeli conflict, yet both are touring the country together touting a new approach to peace in the region. The two have recently, in fact, met with Pope Leo, and it’s a rare opportunity for locals to see up close an amazing force for peace. Registration for the event is free.
CHECK THIS OUT
Best 9: Top events for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, June 12-19
THIS WEEK IN A&E
In search of the most quintessential Santa Cruz Day ever
What constitutes a “quintessential” Santa Cruz day? Maybe it’s good coffee, a breakfast burrito, visits to Santa Cruz’s most iconic vistas and a reminder of what makes downtown so compelling as a reflection of the city’s unique personality.
Community gathers to repaint Black Lives Matter mural
Community members and Santa Cruz city leaders gathered Saturday to repaint the Black Lives Matter mural in front of city hall, marking the fifth year since the public art piece was first created and the second time in two years it was repaired after an […]
‘Something that scares me’: Santa Cruz Shakespeare wanders ‘Into the Woods’ in ambitious 2025 season
Santa Cruz Shakespeare follows up its historic 2024 season of expansion with another new wrinkle in 2025: a musical. Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” is paired with Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Pericles” in a bold new summer season.
Santa Cruz’s Woodies on the Wharf returns June 21
A Santa Cruz summer tradition, Woodies on the Wharf, returns to the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf.
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.