Santa Cruz County theater companies are making a strong comeback this fall with a lineup that ranges from “The Thin Place,” a chilling play about life after death at the Actors’ Theatre, to Tom Stoppard’s “Rough Crossing,” which opens Jewel Theatre Co.’s farewell season.
Wallace Baine
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Events
Weekender: Open Studios’ second week, fall theater happenings & Watsonville losing its bookstore
Hi friends, Anyone else notice how we seem to have broken the habit of “decade think”? Back in my youth, people spoke of decades as distinct eras — the Sixties, ’80s hair, etc. — because it was linguistically easy to do so. The first two decades of this century made it a bit more awkward […]
Posted inHousing & Development
What will the new Santa Cruz look like? Readers sound off
Wallace Baine asked what Lookout readers thought Santa Cruz’s vibe was and how public art should communicate that as the city undergoes its big makeover. From murals to a riverside sculpture garden to hanging art in alleyways, the response showed that there is no dearth of interest, ideas and energy when it comes to bringing a sense of personality and identification to a new downtown.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Events
Weekender: Local ‘Stop Making Sense’ connection, Open Studios time & Comedy Festival
Hi friends, I recently heard some sports commentator guy say of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, “that dude is A.I.’’ I don’t think that he was claiming that Purdy was a robot, just that he was exceptionally good at what he does. Something tells me that little piece of slang is going to stick around for […]
Posted inCity Life
Open Studios is back this month with more than 300 artists opening their doors across the county
Besides the wonderful artistic encounters, Open Studios gives you an excuse to explore areas of the county that might not be a part of your daily routine. This weekend, it’s South County’s moment to shine — that’s the studios from Live Oak down to Watsonville. On Oct. 14 and 15, it’s North County, including Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley. And Oct. 21 and 22 is an encore weekend for the whole county.
Posted inCity Life
Santa Cruz Comedy Festival revives pre-pandemic ambitions, welcoming 40 comedians to 10 venues
The Santa Cruz Comedy Festival returns to Santa Cruz from Wednesday through Saturday. The festival struggled through pandemic closures but is getting back to its ambitious origins in full force this week, with 40 acts performing across 10 different venues.
Posted inCity Life
The monster in the mirror: UCSC festival celebrates, scrutinizes specters real and imagined
With panel discussions, readings, exhibits and a costume ball spread between the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History and UC Santa Cruz the weekend of Oct. 13-15, the 2023 Festival of Monsters will explore topics involving the literary and cultural images of monsters, while still acknowledging the fun factor.
Posted inCity Life
New ‘Ten’ show opens ‘art season’ in Santa Cruz
Aiming to showcase the “endless” pool of Santa Cruz County arts talent, the group show “Ten” opens Saturday at the Radius Gallery at the Tannery and M.K. Contemporary Art, formerly Curated By the Sea. Gallery owner Melissa Kreisa says “Ten” can be an annual event and, coinciding with the annual Open Studios, herald a fall art season in a county brimming with accomplished artists.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Events
Weekender: A ‘Ten’ of an art season opener, Trivia Night debrief and a long-lost Boardwalk food fest
Hi friends, Some new words I find amusing and I vow to use them as soon as it’s appropriate for a dorky old white dude to do so. I haven’t said yet in the wild that something “slaps,” but it’s coming. On the other hand, some new words make me want to step in front […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Remembering the first (and last) concert the Grateful Dead ever played in Santa Cruz County — 40 years ago Sunday
Though Santa Cruz County certainly qualifies as Grateful Dead-friendly territory — and UCSC houses the Grateful Dead Archive — the legendary band played just one show here: Sept. 24, 1983, at the county fairgrounds outside Watsonville. While some locals who were involved with the concert have mixed reviews, the Dead will get their due Sunday night at a special anniversary edition of Felton Music Hall’s weekly Grateful Sundays.