Hi friends,
I always admire an artist who carries a distinct vision of a world that could be, and Taylor Seamount has such a vision. This weekend marks the final chance you’ll have to see Taylor’s work at the Felix Kulpa Gallery downtown. Her art fits generally under the genre known as solar punk, and in her case, that means creating images of a sustainable, eco-friendly, livable world, the place where we all want to live. Much of her art uses locally recognizable landscapes, reimagining such places in a world where economic life is designed around something other than relentless extraction and exploitation. “I love world-building,” she told me last week during a tour of her Kulpa show. Obviously, we’ll never live in a better world until we can picture it. In that regard, Taylor is a visionary. Check her out this weekend.
Now, on with the show.
THIS JUST IN
Certainly one of the most eccentric party bands of the 1990s, Primus, featuring the brilliant Les Claypool, is coming to the Quarry Amphitheater on the campus of UC Santa Cruz on Aug. 3. Attention, shoppers: We have our first big date scheduled for 2026. The Rio Theatre will be the go-to scene for fans of the Eagles on Jan. 31, when the tribute act Take It to the Limit comes to town. One of the last surviving bands from the Los Angeles punk explosion of the late 1970s is the Circle Jerks, who visit The Catalyst on Sept. 12. The reggae band Big Mountain takes the stage at Moe’s Alley on Sept. 26. You might remember M.Ward, the singer-songwriter who was part of the duo She & Him (we’ll let you guess which one). He comes to Felton Music Hall on July 19 with his new band, the Undertakers. And, on that same date, July 19 at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center, the great West African maestro Gyedu-Blay Ambolley will perform his groundbreaking 1975 album “Simigwa” from start to finish with his eight-piece band. Also, we’re gearing up for our big Lookout Trivia summer. Come check us out at Abbott Square on June 4 – you can now register in advance.
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, April 24-May 1
THIS WEEK IN A&E
MAH, Children’s Museum face big federal budget cuts
Two prominent museums in Santa Cruz County are adapting to the announcement that federal funds they have depended on have been canceled by the Trump administration. The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History and the Children’s Museum of Discovery are both facing significant cuts […]
Kuumbwa’s nostalgic look back and the inevitable passing of ‘old’ Santa Cruz
On May 2, the Kuumbwa Jazz Center celebrates its 50th anniversary with an exhibit of photos, posters and archival material that chronicle its early years. On May 3, the public will remember the late Ralph Abraham. Both events mark the inevitable passing of the Santa […]
‘Palo Alto’ writer turns to climate-change crisis in his new book
Malcolm Harris, author of the 2023 political critique “Palo Alto” (and a native of Santa Cruz), comes to Santa Cruz on the heels of the publication of his new book, “What’s Left,” a deep dive into what it will take to emerge from the onrushing […]
The 418 Project transforms into Oz for ‘ally event’
The 418 Project in Santa Cruz is embarking on a series of public events to build bridges between its audience and many in the trans/LGBTQ community. The first of those “ally events” takes place Friday when The 418 is transformed into Oz at The Emerald […]
SLV Art Tour puts local artistic spirit on full display
Next month, artists across San Lorenzo Valley will open their studio doors for the SLV Art Tour. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18, the local art scene will be on full display.
Santa Cruz Oaxacan cultural celebration continues despite Trump immigration fears
Santa Cruz-based nonprofit Senderos is holding its 20th guelaguetza on Sunday at the Branciforte Small Schools campus. The annual tradition, which brings a taste of the culture of the Mexican state of Oaxaca to the community, almost didn’t happen this year due to concerns after […]
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.