A weekly guide to what’s happening.
ARTS AND MUSIC
GUIDED BY VOICES Indie rock greats Guided By Voices had a major productivity itch during the pandemic: Robert Pollard and the rest of the gang released six full-length records while live music was on hold—most recently, Crystal Nuns Cathedral. Also, since getting back on the stage, the outfit’s delivered some epic shows. One of their rescheduled New York City concerts clocked in at over three hours and featured 55 tunes, including tons of favorites, from “Teenage FBI” to “Hot Freaks.” $29.50. Wednesday, March 30, 9pm. The Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. catalystclub.com.
3.2 FEATURING ROBERT BERRY Prog rock favorite, Hush, kicked off Robert Berry’s lengthy career that has morphed into what’s now “3.2.” Joined by Andrew Colyer on keys, Jimmy Keegan on drums and Paul Keller on guitar, the Bay Area-based musician revisits the tunes that span the 30 plus years he’s been a performer. Berry has played with everyone from ELP’s Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer to the Sammy Hagar Band during those years. Attendees will also be treated to some of the rocker’s stories. $25. Friday, April 1, 8pm. Michael’s on Main, 2591 Main St., Soquel. michaelsonmainmusic.com.
EDGE OF THE WEST The self-proclaimed “cosmic honky tonk” outfit is piloted by singer-songwriter/guitarist Jim Lewin. Lewin has performed with Great American Taxi, Todd Snider, Lacy J. Dalton and Frank Wakefield. One thing is always consistent no matter who he’s playing with: his ability to remain musically open a la the Grateful Dead. “Instead of learning how to play Grateful Dead tunes, I learned how to play like the Dead,” Lewin says. $10. Saturday, April 2, 7pm. Brookdale Lodge, 11570 Hwy 9, Brookdale.
GARCIA PEOPLES AND BAD MAPS Straight outta New Jersey, the sextet Garcia Peoples’ trio of guitarists, including founders Tom Malach and Danny Arakaki, unleashes an orchestral sound that meshes with sprawling organized chaos. Known for extensive improvisational live shows, the band has grown a large following through their growing presence on the Live Music Archive. GP released a pair of studio records over the last few years, showing another, more polished and produced side to their overall vision. According to the band, “songs have started to expand, jam suites have grown and experiments have been undertaken.” The long strange trip is getting longer—and stranger. Santa Cruz Mountains’ product Bad Maps uncorks psych bluegrass intertwined with Zachary Handl’s original prose. $18/$22. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test required. Saturday, April 2, 9pm. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. moesalley.com.
EARTHLESS Don’t waste time trying to pigeonhole Earthless—the San Diego trio bounces from Krautrock to electric jazz to heavy psych to ’70s era classic rock with the velocity of an Aroldis Chapman fastball—and the transitions are seamless. The group has dedicated most of its time to live performances and experimentation throughout their two-decade run. In 2021, they live-streamed five “multimedia concert experiences from the natural amphitheater of California’s Mojave Desert,” which was recently released as Live in the Mojave Desert, Vol. 1. The follow-up, Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, features only two songs, but the record is over an hour long. “It’s like a soundtrack for a book or a movie in my mind,” guitarist Isaiah Mitchell told Relix. $20/$24 plus fees. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test required. Saturday, April 2, 8pm. Felton Music Hall, 6275 CA-9, Felton. feltonmusichall.com.
REBIRTH BRASS BAND It’s a New Orleans party wherever and whenever Rebirth plays. The group, headed up by the Frazier brothers, started in 1983, delivering impromptu performances around the French Quarter, which led to a standing Tuesday night residency at the Maple Leaf. After 40 years, the Grammy Award-winners have honed a sound that’s a gumbo of traditional brass band music, funk and a bit of hip-hop for extra spice. “It’s a working model of the New Orleans musical ethos: as long as everybody knows what they’re doing, anyone can cut loose,” writes The New York Times. $25/$30. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test required. Sunday, April 3, 8pm. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. moesalley.com.
RODNEY CROWELL AND LISA MORALES Two Grammys, five No. 1 hits and six Americana Music Association Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement for Songwriter award—that’s the tip of Rodney Crowell’s iceberg-sized career. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer also penned a widely praised memoir, Chinaberry Sidewalks, in 2012. Crowell’s 2021 Triage, released on his label, RC1 Records, marks his 18th studio record; it’s a deep dive into mortality, love and making amends. $50/$60. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test required. Sunday, April 3, 7:30pm. Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. riotheatre.com.
GARY NUMAN AND i SPEAK MACHINE No one really knew what to make of Gary Numan’s bizarro, post-apocalyptic art rock when he unveiled The Pleasure Principle to the world in 1979—a freaky one-person operation churning out tunes like “Cars,” propelled by synths alongside mechanized vocals. The pasty-skinned Brit’s weirdness has remained intact for four decades now. A tall order for the 64-year-old who manages himself, books his shows and even designs all of his concert posters. The self-proclaimed “one-man-band” also continues to release records, and as far as his position on the U.K. pop charts, Numan’s 18th studio record, Intruder, marked somewhat of a renaissance. His vocals are less robotic than his earlier work, but the music still sounds like it comes from an undiscovered planet. $27.50/$32. Sunday, April 3, 8pm. The Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. catalystclub.com.
DIANNE REEVES The renowned songstress’ voice commands attention. “She has one of the most powerful, purposeful and accurate voices of this or any time,” Wynton Marsalis said of the singer. Need proof? She’s picked up five Grammys for “Best Jazz Vocal Album,” an honorary doctorate from Juilliard and was the National Endowment of the Arts 2018 Jazz Master. 7pm $73.50/$78.75/$39 students; 9pm $52.50/$57.75/students $29. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test required. Tuesday, April 5. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. kuumbwajazz.org.
COMMUNITY
CARA BLACK The bestselling Bay Area author returns to celebrate the release of Murder at the Porte de Versaille, the latest book from her beloved series that centers on Parisian private investigator Aimée Leduc. Free with registration. Wednesday, March 30, 7pm. Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. bookshopsantacruz.com/cara-black-2022.
HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA SURF The event name says it all. Free. Thursday, March 31, 6:30pm. Santa Cruz Hostel, 321 Main St., Santa Cruz. Email [email protected] (subject line: Surf California).
BOOCHES FOR POOCHES Shake your moneymaker to the music of Alex Lucero, quench your thirst with Boochcraft, fill your tummy with burgers and support a worthy cause—10% of all food and drink sales go to the Santa Cruz SPCA. Free. Sunday, April 3, noon-5pm. burger, 7941 Soquel Drive, Aptos. [email protected].
A UKRAINIAN CULTURAL FUNDRAISING EVENT We may be thousands of miles away; however, we can still offer some assistance and learn more about the country’s culture. Traditional Ukrainian folk dancing, music, food, storytelling, art, giveaways and more. 50% of all wine and cider purchased during the event will support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Free. (Additional packages available). Sunday, April 3, 2-6pm. Hallcrest Vineyards, Felton.
GROUPS
GANJA YOGA SANTA CRUZ Cannabis, yoga and community come together to relax and elevate your soul. Javi’s classes blend slow vinyasa flow, chill vibes, grounded spirituality and a touch of Latino spice. All levels welcome, weed welcome (vapes only), masks optional. Free (first class). Thursday, March 31, 6pm. Green Magic Yoga, 738 Chestnut St., Santa Cruz. greenmagicyoga.com/ganja-yoga-santa-cruz.
WOMENCARE ARM-IN-ARM This cancer support group is for women with advanced, recurrent or metastatic cancer. Meets every Monday on Zoom. Free. Registration required. Monday, April 4, 12:30pm. 831-457-2273. Womencaresantacruz.org.
OUTDOORS
FREE TUESDAY AT UCSC ARBORETUM What’s not to love about Community Day at the UCSC Arboretum? Explore the biodiversity of the lush gardens, the birds or just take some time for yourself on a quiet bench in the shade. Free. Tuesday, April 5, 9am-5pm. UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz. calendar.ucsc.edu.
SUNSET BEACH BOWLS AND BONFIRE Do you want to break free from the collective conscious energy of fear, chaos, anger, trauma and stress of everyday life? Raise your vibration and energy levels with sound meditation. Free. Tuesday, April 5, 6:30pm. Moran Lake Beach, Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz. 831-333-6736.
