Hi friends,
Whaddya say a bunch of us get a caravan to go to New York next spring, to catch a Broadway show — a particular Broadway show. It’s true, nearly 40 years later, “The Lost Boys” and Santa Carla live on, on Broadway. At least you’ve nine months to choose an outfit.
Now, on with the show.
THIS JUST IN
Newly booked upcoming shows in Santa Cruz County this week include Seattle-based singer-songwriter Damien Jurado set to play Moe’s Alley on Oct. 1. Canadian-born jazz trumpet player Bria Skonberg will be at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Nov. 4. Rachael Price, best known as the lead singer for Lake Street Dive, teams up with guitarist and singer Vilray in a longstanding duo act that embraces everything from Tin Pan Alley to jazz originals. They’ll be performing at the Rio Theatre on Oct. 25. And fans of Irish dance are going to want to know about a big show at the Civic Auditorium called “A Taste of Ireland,” a splashy production encompassing the history of Ireland through story, song and dance.
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.
What’s next for NEXTies
The NEXTies, the annual awards celebration focused on Santa Cruz entrepreneurial culture, is moving forward in another realm. In the fall, the show’s producers at Event Santa Cruz, in collaboration with the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, will launch The NEXTies: Earth and Sea, specifically to focus on local people engaged in activities in ocean sciences and environmentalism.
Now’s the time for nominations for researchers, inventors, educators, and other big thinkers in the field. Nominations will be open until Aug. 3.
The event is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 3, at the Seymour Center.
Wiedlin a go-go for MAH
Another reminder that a new kind of entertainment event is making its debut next week in Santa Cruz. Longtime guitarist, singer and songwriter Jane Wiedlin — best known as a co-founder of the iconic 1980s band the Go-Go’s — is coming to the Museum of Art & History next Thursday, July 17, as part of a potential new series called Legends Live & Local. Wiedlin will sit for an on-stage interview with Santa Cruz author and academic Jennifer Otter Bickerdike, then take up the guitar and perform with a band of local musicians, all in the MAH’s spacious atrium.
It’s not your ordinary gig, and if the audience is there in healthy numbers, we might see more of these kinds of shows with other name musicians. We can make that happen.
CHECK THIS OUT
Best 9: Top events for the week ahead in Santa Cruz County arts & entertainment, July 10-17
THIS WEEK IN A&E
New ‘Princes’ exhibit at MAH embraces the whole of Santa Cruz’s history of surfing
A new exhibition at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History brings back a popular show from 2015 about the three Hawaiian princes who first brought surfing to Santa Cruz. But, with the addition of a look back at the surf shops of the […]
Bikini Bottom meets redwoods: SpongeBob musical hits stage at UCSC this fall
UC Santa Cruz will bring a SpongeBob SquarePants musical to life this fall, marking the school’s first musical production since 2022. Directed by assistant professor Rebecca Wear, the show explores themes of community, environmental crisis and xenophobia through a playful, campy retelling of the beloved […]
The Mystery Spot’s yellow sticker is taking over the world and nobody is quite sure why
From Santa Cruz to Spain, the Mystery Spot’s bright yellow bumper sticker has become an international cultural touchstone, appearing on cars in Germany, Ecuador and India, among other countries.
Santa Cruz County Fair names Dori Rose Inda as new CEO
Longtime Watsonville resident and nonprofit executive Dori Rose Inda has been named the new CEO of the Santa Cruz County Fair.
Summer Luau returns to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with food, music and hula
The first of two Summer Luau events happens Friday at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Santa Cruz Public Libraries hosting anime workshops with former ‘Simpsons’ artist
Santa Cruz Public Libraries invites local artists of all abilities from ages 12 to 18 to join two free “Anime Your Way” drawing workshops with former “The Simpsons” artist Carlos Nieto III on Sunday at the Aptos and downtown library branches.
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.