Santa Cruz Shakespeare flourished with a comeback season in 2022, but the effects of the pandemic and inflation that have rippled through other local organizations are being felt at the West Coast’s live-theater crown jewel. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival says it needs $1.5 million by June for its 2023 season to continue, and it’s put a hold on planning for 2024.
The Here & Now
Posted inCoast Life
Bearing valentines for Watsonville, Michael Gaither returns with new album, El Vaquero celebration
Still basking in the glow of his 60th birthday, bard of Watsonville Michael Gaither takes to the stage Saturday at El Vaquero Winery to fete the release of his first album since pre-pandemic times, “Welcome Back: A Collection.”
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Ambitious project pairs artists with unhoused, attempting to answer ‘What’s Home?’
In a series of films and live performances coming to The 418 Project and the Radius Gallery at the Tannery Arts Center, Andrew Purchin tracks the interaction between those with secure housing and those without and the expressions of art that emerged.
Posted inCoast Life
Vets Hall ramps up
It’s shaping up to be a busy spring and summer at the downtown Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building, with Stinkfoot Orchestra bringing its Zappa vibes for a First Friday concert and a series of psychedelic shows in the offing.
Posted inCoast Life
First Friday dispels the winter blues, from Davenport to Capitola Mall
First Friday festivities are blooming all over Santa Cruz County, with the April event including glass-blowing in Davenport, functional art from more than 60 locals at the mall and sculpture at downtown newcomer Minnow Arts.
Posted inCoast Life
An early look at Cabrillo Festival’s new season
The 2023 season of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music will run July 30-Aug. 12 at the Santa Cruz Civic, and will include a visit from The Kronos Quartet and a festival-commissioned piece paying tribute to longtime executive director Ellen Primack, who’s stepping down after 33 years.
Posted inCoast Life
‘High Flyin’ news for Neil Young fans
Bootleg recordings of Santa Cruz gigs of 1970s supergroup the Ducks, featuring Neil Young, are coming out April 14 in a three-LP or two-CD set.
Posted inCoast Life
Script-in-hand theater on the way
The 36 North collective kicks off a series of staged readings at Actors’ Theater Center Stage in May, featuring new plays by Santa Cruz playwrights.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Resource Center for Nonviolence event puts spotlight on men’s role
An April gathering called “Imagine a World Without Violence: Men Speak Out” will feature prominent Santa Cruz men, including schools superintendent Faris Sabbah and Santa Cruz Warriors president Chris Murphy, speaking on topics involving masculinity in modern culture.
Posted inCity Life
The story of Mak Nova: How a small-town girl transformed into a fearless free-spirit performer
Mak Nova, the stage persona of 31-year-old Makana Curtiss, will be honored as Santa Cruz’s Musician of the Year on Friday at the NEXTies. “I don’t want to leave any rock unturned,” she says of her path forward. “So that’s gonna get weird sometimes, for sure.”