WEDNESDAY
FILM PREMIERE
Daytime Revolution
Will we still need him—when he’s 84? Oct. 9, on John Lennon’s 84th birthday, KSQD presents the special Santa Cruz premiere of Daytime Revolution, a film that documents the week when John and Yoko Lennon hijacked America’s most popular talk show—The Mike Douglas Show—in the apocalyptic election year of 1972. John and Yoko, along with George Carlin, Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seale and Ralph Nader, conquered the airwaves and presented their radical and utopian vision of what America could be. Followed by a Q&A with the film’s director, Erik Nelson, and local writer Wallace Baine. BRAD KAVA.
INFO: 7pm, Del Mar Theatre, 1124 Pacific Ave., #4415, Santa Cruz. landmarktheatres.com
THURSDAY
COMEDY
IAN IRA ROUSSO
Self-described as “curmudgeonly, yet charismatically loud,” New York City native Rousso has built a sustained career as a stand-up comic, scoring high-profile opportunities and building upon them. Rousso launched a podcast, The Ian Ira Rousso Show, in 2022. The show’s format includes his stand-up and conversations with fellow creative/entertainment figures. He also self-released his debut album, Sorry Again, in 2023. This current run of live dates is Rousso’s second national tour; his stand-up has been featured in clubs nationwide. BILL KOPP
INFO: 9pm, Actors’ Theatre, 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz. $17.85. 431-8666.
FRIDAY
JAZZ
JAY SI PROOF
As the four-piece Portlander band Jay Si Proof states, “Don’t stop, let it vibe, let it breath[e], and just dance!” Eccentric and wildly entertaining, Jay Si Proof’s performances are as unique as they are boisterous and lively. Trombonist-vocalist Jeff Chilton leads drummer Lucas James, guitarist Corey Heppner and JD Erickson on the sax and flute in producing some seriously fun contemporary indie-jazz music, as showcased on tracks like “Irl” and “Motion Picture.” Fearless, funky and refreshingly weird, Jay Si Proof is one-hundred-percent DIY, having independently published their first two EPs and 12-track LP, Care About It, a more indie-leaning record with plenty of moments of the jazz improvisation they’re notorious for. MELISA YURIAR
INFO: 8pm, Woodhouse Brewing, 119 Madrone St., Santa Cruz. Free. 313-9461.
EVENT
FESTIVAL OF MONSTERS
The 2024 Festival of Monsters opens with a night of free events for all ages. There’s a reading at 5 p.m. at the Museum of Art & HIstory by Kiersten White, the author of the best-selling Hide. She will read from her new book Lucy Undying about vampires. At 6pm one of the most famous mask makers in the world, Chris Zephro will talk about his Santa Cruz company, Trick or Treat Studios and display his masks. At 7pm Circus of the Moon will perform Pluto’s Labryinth, a twisted journey of shadow and demons featuring aerialists, acrobats and ensemble dance. BRAD KAVA
INFO: 5pm on at the Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. Free admission.
SATURDAY
ROCK
BEN OTTEWELL & IAN BALL (OF GOMEZ)
Sometimes, fate has a funny way of intervening. They didn’t have a name when Ian Ball, Ben Ottewell, Tom Gray, Paul Blackburn and Olly Peacock played their first gig in ’96 at the Hyde Park Social Groove in Leeds, England. But they did have a mutual friend going to the gig whose family name was Gomez. So, to make sure he didn’t miss it, they left a sign out front with an arrow that read “Gomez in here.” People assumed it was the band’s name, and the rest is history. This weekend, Ottewell and Ball celebrate the 25th anniversary of Gomez’s sophomoric LP, Liquid Skin, with a special North American tour. MAT WEIR
INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $27/adv, $30/door. 760-1387.
HARDCORE
UNITYTX
PinUp Presents is bringing the heat with UnityTX, Mugshot, Silly Goose and Parasite on a night that promises to leave fans sore the next day. The curse of Covid struck UnityTX when they released an album—2019’s Madboy—right when the pandemic reset the world. But like the best bands in today’s scene, they channeled their energy and rage into 2023’s Ferality and haven’t looked back, cranking up the gas and dropping not one but two EPs this year (Playing Favorites and Masticate). Unlike other bands in the hardcore scene, UnityTX blends hardcore, industrial, rap and metal into an all-out assault on the senses. MW
INFO: 6pm, Vets Hall, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz. $20/adv, $25/door. 454-0478.
MONDAY
DOCUMENTARY
GIANTS RISING
Despite humans exploring the world for eons, much remains to learn. The giant redwood trees on the East Coast are one such area. The redwoods are over 3,000 years old, and the documentary Giants Rising discusses uncovered mysteries and newly discovered information about the ecosystem, including our relationship with the forest and the dangers and challenges of preserving it. Compelled to make the documentary by her deep connection with the forest, director Lisa Landers will hold an onstage discussion after the screening of Giants Rising. Attend the screening and learn how the trees can communicate not only with each other but also with us and the rest of their environment. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 7pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 423-8209.
See the Arts feature by … in this issue.
TUESDAY
BLUES-ROCK
ETRAN DE L’AÏR
Etran de L’Aïr (stars of the Aïr region) is a family band composed of brothers and cousins hailing from Agadez, Niger, where guitar bands are an integral component of the city’s social fabric, playing at occasions as joyful as weddings and serious as political rallies. Drawing elements from cultural influences like Northern Malian blues-rock and high-energy Congolese soukous, Etran’s desert rock is dynamic, engaging and rooted in celebration, evoking the jubilation felt at an Agadez wedding. Current band leader Moussa “Abindi” Ibra was only nine years old when he formed the band in 1995, and today, Etran de L’Aïr continues expanding musical palettes and stirring delight at venues worldwide. MY
INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $26.50/adv, $30/door. 479-1854.
TUESDAY
SKA
LESS THAN JAKE
Born in the early ’90s, Less Than Jake was right on time to surf the “third wave” of ska sweeping the US. They found a following quickly, growing with each album until Anthem, their fifth, absolutely exploded with singles “She’s Gonna Break Soon” and “The Science of Selling Yourself Short” getting heavy radio and MTV airplay. The Jakes have impressively managed to keep the show on the road as they’ve transitioned successfully from the majors to an indie label, back to a major, and finally to their own label. There’ve been bumps and some lineup changes, but they’ve stayed true to their vision and are bringing the pop-punk ska goodness to service all your skanking needs. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
INFO: 7:30pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $30/adv, $36/door. 713-5492.
