THURSDAY 12/5
COMEDY
TRAE CROWDER After honing his comedy career for over three years at open mic nights in Knoxville, Tennessee, Trae Crowder, the cohost of political comedy podcasts Evening Skews and Puttin’ On Airs,gained national attention as the Liberal Redneck by sharing short monologues online that blended his rural upbringing with progressive political opinions. Crowder famously went viral in 2010 for his comedic videos responding to proposed trans bathroom bills. His videos have amassed over 17 million YouTube views, leading to appearances on MSNBC, Real Time with Bill Maher and a brief stint as “Hillbilly-in-Chief” for the New York Daily News. MELISA YURIAR
INFO: 8pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $32-$56. 423-8209.
FRIDAY 12/6
POP
DONNA MISSAL Donna Missal’s musical roots run deep—subsoil deep. Her grandmother was a songwriter in the ’50s, and her father was a musician throughout the ’80s. So it’s no wonder her track “Keep Lying” went viral. Along with collaborating on a track with Macklemore and releasing singles, Missal put out her third album (and first independently released), Revel, last year. Her soulful voice carries the delicate touches of hope, compassion and personal truths as it flows on her river of melodies. MAT WEIR
INFO: 8pm, Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $27. 713-5492.
THE HUGS You gotta love that the Hugs refer to themselves as a pop band. The foursome uses a ’60s garage sound as a jumping-off point without being gimmicky before mixing in a healthy dose of psychedelic and indie experimentation, resulting in sincere and unapologetically pop music that makes our ears happy. Unsurprisingly, they’re based out of Portland, Oregon, the incubation chamber for the Dandy Warhols, the Shins and Portugal, the Man. The Hugs fit right in on this list of highly accessible bands with strong personalities who are exports of the quirkiest town on the West Coast. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
INFO: 8pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6994.
SATURDAY 12/7
FOLK
GILL LANDRY Louisiana native Gill Landry’s been a busking folk troubadour, touring the states in various Volkswagens with an acoustic guitar and a pile of poetic songs in the passenger seat. He’s slept in shacks in Oregon while putting together an act. He’s also been a long-serving member of the Grammy Award–winning and Grand Ole Opry-inducted Old Crow Medicine Show. Today, Landry’s a well-seasoned traveling singer-songwriter with a deep well of experience and influences to draw from, and he’s still out on the road, though probably staying in more comfortable accommodations these days. KLJ
INFO: 8pm, Lille Aeske Arthouse, 13160 Highway 9, Boulder Creek. $35/adv, $40/door. 703-4183
ODIE LEIGH See this week’s Arts & Entertainment feature by Mathew Chipman.
INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9. $22 at the door or online at feltonmusichall.com.
FESTIVAL
HOLIDAY MAKERS’ MARKET The Holiday Makers’ Market will feature ten vendors displaying their wares, offering an opportunity to ring in the holiday season with shopping that supports local entrepreneurs and crafters. Some featured items are original art, handcrafted jewelry, knitted goods and pottery. An array of Discretion’s flavorful beers will also be available on tap and in cans, and local psychedelic rock band Love Creek will offer a mix of classic and original songs from 3 to 5pm. The market’s slogan sums it up: “Shop small, drink beer and enjoy live music.” BILL KOPP
INFO: 1pm, Discretion Brewing, 2703 41st Ave. Suite A, Soquel. Free. 316-0662.
SUNDAY 12/8
SKA
SLACKERS The Slackers, a long-running band from New York City, delivers the sounds of the Caribbean with over a dozen albums released since ’91 showcasing the group’s blend of ska, rocksteady, reggae and soul with an unmistakable Noo Yawk flavor. Their 2022 album, Don’t Let the Sunlight Fool Ya, charted impressively and captured the essence of this hard-touring (thousands of performances to date) outfit. Acclaimed LA-based Chicano soulsters Los Yesterdays and ska-soul-reggae outfit the Bandulus (featuring the Aggrolites’ Jesse Wagner) are also on the bill. BK
INFO: 7:30pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $30/adv, $35/door. 479-1854.
MONDAY 12/9
JAZZ
HUNTERTONES The Huntertones are truly an American band; they play the most American form of music, jazz, and they formed in Ohio but moved to Brooklyn. Originally called the Dan White Sextet after founding member Dan White, they changed their name to the Huntertones in 2014 and have wowed audiences nationwide and internationally with high-energy shows of jazz, soul and fusion delivered on a platter of fun. Last year, they released their Christmas EP, A Joyful Noise (Part 1), and if more people in the audience are on the nice list than the naughty one, they might play a tune or two for the season. MW
INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $42. 427-2227.
TUESDAY 12/10
COMEDY
THE ROAST OF DNA It’s impossible to express how essential local comedian DNA is to the Santa Cruz comedy scene. For eighteen years, he’s been, well, the scene’s DNA, organizing shows, booking middle-to-big-league names and giving fledgling newbies stage time to work out material and build up nerves. He single-handedly organized the Santa Cruz Comedy Festival for the last 11 years—even during Covid, when it was a drive-in show—and owned the beloved but short-lived DNA’s Comedy Lab. After so many laughs, DNA’s ready to move on to different pastures, but not before some of the best names in Santa Cruz stand-up bid him goodbye with a proper circle roast at the Blue Lagoonies Comedy, a tradition he started in that very room. MW
INFO: 7:45pm, Blue Lagoon, 923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 423-7117.
WEDNESDAY 12/11
ROCK
COLOR GREEN This California-based quartet’s sophomore album, Fool’s Parade, blends kaleidoscopic Americana with dreamy guitar leads, rich harmonies and classic songwriting to produce a gem of a record. While known for embracing a cosmic spontaneity with dynamic and often unpredictable live performances, the band’s music is dreamily grounded in earthy melodies. Drawing from ’60s Southern California folk rock, classic ’70s rock and psychedelic dance-rock, Color Green’s approach to music is very much about choosing your own adventure. Join them in stepping into the unknown—an ever-so-delightful reverie. MY
INFO: 8pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $24. 429-6994.
CHRISTMAS SONGS
MIKE RENWICK’S HOLIDAY DELUXE Now’s the time for Christmas music, and Mike Renwick’s annual Holiday Deluxe kicks off the season! Mike Renwick and other talented musicians bring an old-school R&B and rock spirit to beloved Christmas classics, warming up the room on a cold, wintery night. The casually comfy concert is purposefully cozy, intending to bring people together to celebrate and relax. Renwick has hosted this Christmas party for over 20 years, and the musicians and songs change every year. So grab a friend, grab a drink, and be merry. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 7:30pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $30. 704-7113.
