Hi friends,
I was enjoying the summer quite nicely, thank you, until I saw Christmas stuff on sale in a local store, and no I’m not going to say which one. You can’t encourage this kind of thing. The first political party to promise legislation prohibiting holiday displays in stores before Nov. 1 will get my vote.
Now, on with the show.
THIS JUST IN
New show coming to the beautiful Quarry Amphitheater on the campus of UC Santa Cruz. It’s the return of the SoCal psychedelic band Chicano Batman, coming to the Quarry on Oct. 26. Stand-up comedian Brad Williams is coming to the Santa Cruz Civic next spring, May 18. The big Latin-jazz dance band Spanish Harlem Orchestra visits the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Dec. 19. The legendary Santa Cruz punk band The Expendables play The Catalyst for the thousandth time (give or take) Dec. 7. The pop/funk band out of Boston known as Ripe is set for a date at the Felton Music Hall on Nov. 2. And comedian Josh Wolf drops in at the Rio on Nov. 17.
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 dog-days B9:
CZU remembered
We’re approaching the four-year anniversary of the CZU fires, certainly one of the most catastrophic moments in the history of Santa Cruz County. Four years is not a long time, and there are, of course, still many local people feeling the trauma and the aftermath of the fires that destroyed hundreds of homes and disrupted many lives.
One of those displaced was Felicia Rice, an accomplished book artist who lost her home in Bonny Doon and much of her work in the fires, and has since relocated to Mendocino County. Felicia and her husband, Jim, are planning to return to Santa Cruz County in an event open to the public in Felton to reflect on the CZU fires and what’s happened since.
She comes in support of her work “Heavy Lifting,” which can best be described as a visual art piece in the form of a book, an impressionistic interpretation of the fires in collaboration with poet Theresa Whitehill. The event is billed as a “listening tour,” which means she wants to share her story and hear others’ stories of rebuilding and renewal after CZU.
The free event takes place Saturday, Aug. 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Felton Public Library.
October laughs
Comedian DNA has the first week of October circled in red on his calendar, and he hopes you will soon as well. That marks the return of the Santa Cruz Comedy Festival — Oct. 1-5, at 17 different venues around town.
If you’ve been around town for a while, you probably know the drill. A small army of stand-up comedians — DNA counts more than 60 — will be dispatched to just about anything that might constitute a stage around Santa Cruz. Some of the venues are natural places to enjoy comedy such as the Rio Theatre and the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Others — like the Get Faded barbershop, the Abbey, and Streetlight Records — are not what you would expect.
Most of the shows are free, with a few featuring accomplished headliners like Beth Stelling and Amy Miller requiring a ticket. We’ll tell you more about the Santa Cruz Comedy Festival as we get closer. But with a month away from a potentially history-changing national election, by October, I’m guessing all of us will need a few laughs.
Tammi news
The news is not good on the health front for Santa Cruz County Artist of the Year and beloved community icon Tammi Brown. The veteran jazz singer has recently experienced a return of her Stage 4 lung cancer, after a long and promising reprieve. And she still needs the love and support of her community.
Tammi was the center of attention at an Artist of the Year showcase back in June. But she’s again struggling with her health, and back on chemotherapy.
A GoFundMe account is active to raise funds for her medical expenses. I’m sure your prayers will be appreciated as well.
Cabrillo Fest takes a bow
The second and final shows of this summer’s big Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music lands this weekend at the Santa Cruz Civic. The festival is closing with a bang.
Folklorico extravaganza
Esperanza Del Valle and Cabrillo College are teaming up to create a remarkable opportunity around traditional Mexican folklorico dance, with four concerts of two different shows at two venues, lots more classes and a big public celebration. It’s all happening later this month at Cabrillo and in Watsonville.
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.