Hi friends,
The Aptos-based Monte Foundation has been raising money for local schools for almost 30 years with its big, bold, breathtaking annual fireworks display, and Sunday, the Monte Fireworks Extravaganza returns, this time to the newly reopened Capitola Wharf. The show is nine kinds of awesome. But, given the new hyper fire-conscious era we’re in, and the big advances in awe-inspiring drone shows in the sky, might we be seeing the last of these types of pyrotechnics? Check it out while you still can.
Now, on with the show.
THIS JUST IN
The Catalyst has announced its plans for New Year’s Eve. This year, The Cat will host the beguiling world-beat/electronica group Beats Antique. Talk about a supergroup — the great “King of California” Dave Alvin teams up with Victor Krummenacher of Camper Van Beethoven and others for The Third Mind, set to light up the stage at Moe’s Alley on Dec. 19. Also at Moe’s, the great bluesman Coco Montoya returns for a Sunday afternoon blues jam Feb. 23. Master guitarists Martin Taylor, Ulf Wakenius and Bireli Lagrene will combine forces for a big show next spring, April 23, at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. And, much sooner at the Kuumbwa, check out Santa Cruz singer-songwriter and artist Tom Ralston is set to bring his big R&B band Nov. 16.
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 B9:
Morby show canceled
The big show at the UC Santa Cruz Quarry Amphitheater scheduled for Saturday will not take place. Kevin Morby’s “This is a Festival” has been canceled. Neither UCSC nor the show’s producer, Noise Pop, has thus far commented on why, but ticketholders will not have to take any action to be refunded.
This week’s news comes just months after another ambitious show at the Quarry Amphitheater, featuring a screening of the Talking Heads film “Stop Making Sense,” had to be postponed because of widespread campus protests. That event was rescheduled to the summer, and both the postponed screening and a concert featuring former Talking Heads keyboardist Jerry Harrison were big successes.
Goodbye Lyrics Born
It’s a big moment for Bay Area rap artist Tom Shimura, who performs under the name Lyrics Born. Shimura comes to Moe’s Alley on Friday, and though that show certainly isn’t his first performance in Santa Cruz — he’s been a regular on the Moe’s stage for a few years now — it will, sadly, be his last.
Shimura has announced that he’s simply moving on from the rap game. Touring for the last time this fall, and dropping his final album titled “Goodbye Sticky Rice,” the Berkeley-based rapper is looking to expand his artistic vision, which already includes a popular YouTube cooking show called “Dinner in Place.” He’s also said that he’s producing a movie.
The Japanese-born Shimura has been a pioneer in expressing the Asian American viewpoint in hip-hop. He was vaulted into stardom 20 years ago with his biggest hit, the contagious “Callin’ Out,” but he’s remained a fearless voice against anti-Asian racism throughout the pandemic, most notably with his searing rap “Anti.” Here’s hoping Lyrics Born’s retirement is a short-lived thing. But just in case it’s not, it might be a great opportunity to catch a real American original, Friday at Moe’s Alley.
The wings of creativity
I recently had a lovely visit with my longtime friend, the accomplished writer and teacher Patrice Vecchione. The literary community in Monterey County knows Patrice well, because she makes her home near Monterey and is involved in many activities there. But she is, at heart, a Santa Cruz homegirl, having been raised in Santa Cruz.
On Oct. 17, she’s hosting a rare event in Santa Cruz, a writers salon at Gabriella Cafe on Cedar Street downtown. The event is to celebrate her latest art project, “Imagination Migration,” which features a number of beautiful decorated paper cutouts of birds, currently gracing the walls at Gabriella’s.
As a teacher and workshop leader, Patrice has inspired hundreds of writers to really unleash their creativity, and in the “Migration” project, she’s using birds as a guiding metaphor for the artist’s imagination. If you’re looking for a spark in whatever creative project you have going, check out the salon, which features dinner, a stimulating conversation and a workshop to get you flying again.
Losing a giant
I was saddened to hear of the death of the great American painter Richard Mayhew, perhaps the most accomplished visual artist to call Santa Cruz home. He died Sept. 26 at the age of 100.
Last spring, locals got a chance to meet the artist and really take the long view on his work when the Museum of Art & History in Santa Cruz celebrated his 100th birthday with a bold new art show called “Inner Terrain.” On the occasion of that monumental birthday, I also got a chance to visit with Mayhew at his home and talk about art. I was really moved about how gracious and how open he was to this nosy reporter in his office. Later, I got to spend some time absorbing his impossibly color-rich paintings.
What a talent, and what a visionary. Most of all, what a sweet man.
Open Studios again!
Lastly, just a reminder to get out this weekend and visit the amazing artists of Open Studios, this time featuring the artists of South County (that includes everyone south of the yacht harbor).
This weekend also is a great opportunity to see the new space at Pajaro Valley Arts in downtown Watsonville, if you haven’t done so already. The Porter Building gallery will feature the work of three local artists — Hermelinda Vasquez-Matias and her Oaxacan wood carvings, first-timer Lynne Karst and satirical collage artist Cristina Sayers.
Or, design your own art tour with the Open Studios guide, available here or in a print version all over the county. There are scores of studios to choose from. The tour wraps up next weekend with its “encore” weekend.
I had a great time exploring the artists of Santa Cruz’s Westside last weekend. Maybe I’ll see you out there.
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.