THURSDAY 4/17
REGGAE
CHUCK FENDA
Brooklyn-born and Jamaica-raised Chuck Fenda has been crafting inspirational music for nearly three decades. Under the mentorship of King Jammy, Fenda released the debut single, “Jah It’s All About You,” which launched him into international reggae stardom. Traveling between New York and Jamaica to hone his craft, Fenda has made himself a true ambassador of Rastafarian culture. Fenda’s legacy of uplifting reggae continues with his 2023 album, Eternal Fire, and his recent single “Heartless,” a bold anthem defending women and children. Fans won’t want to miss this evening of powerful lyrics and swaying rhythms. SHELLY NOVO
INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $25/adv, $30/door. 479-1854.
WORLD MUSIC
ABLAYE CISSOKO AND CYRILLE BROTTO
Ablaye Cissoko was born in Senegal, and through his solo music and his collaborations across genres and continents, he is on a mission to keep Senegalese musical and cultural traditions alive, particularly the 21-string West African kora, an instrument in which he is one of the foremost players. His ongoing collaboration with French accordion player Cyrille Brotto is unsurprisingly his best-known and most celebrated. The musical friendship and respect for one another’s story and heritage are beautiful to behold and will be displayed when they take the stage. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $35. 427-2227.
FRIDAY 4/18
RAP
MICKEY AVALON
Mickey Avalon is the grandchild of holocaust survivors. He’s had a rough go of it himself, surviving addiction, prostitution and a biography full of heartbreak and loss. But the fight is in his genes, and he comes through it all with a pervy wink and a “try me” grin. His nasty rhymes would make a madam blush, filled with filth, pathos, defiance, seduction and an irreverent sense of humor. He’s bringing his hilarious and horny celebration of life in all its complexities to Santa Cruz, one of the first towns to embrace his music when he hit the scene over two decades ago. KLJ
INFO: 9pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $32. 713-5492.
ROCK
MELT
The internet has done a lot of things. It brought us all together at the click of a button and drove us apart with social media. But one of the better things it’s done has been to give users access to every and any music that is or has ever been. Because of this, music has recently begun to blend genres across all borders, time and style. The quartet Melt, formed in 2017 in New York, mixes soul, soft rock and pop. Their music and melodies are catchy and upbeat, while the lyrics remain honest, bare and raw. Melt released their debut, If There’s a Heaven, last year and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. MAT WEIR
INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $31. 704-7113.
SATURDAY 4/19
INDIE
KRISTEN FORD
Signed to Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records, singer-songwriter Kristen Ford identifies as biracial and queer; her music is a chronicle of navigating life against that twin backdrop. DiFranco produced her debut, Pinto, and is set for release later this year. A popular festival fixture, Ford has racked up more than 2,000 concert performances since her stage debut; her live show uses looping, beatboxing and other DIY accouterments. She claims more than 15,000 social media followers and an extensive following via her email list. Bay Area singer-songwriter Meli Levi opens. BILL KOPP
INFO: 9pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $15. 429-6994.
FOLK
AMY RIGBY
Singer-songwriter Amy Rigby is known for her sharp musical storytelling skills and winning blend of alt-country, folk and rock. She came to prominence as a member of Last Roundup, then with the Shams, launching a solo career with the acclaimed 1996 album Diary of a Mod Housewife. Along the way, Rigby has teamed up on occasion with husband Wreckless Eric, and the couple has released three albums to date. A respected solo artist in the indie music scene, Rigby has released 10 albums under her name, with 2024’s Hang in There With Me being her latest. BK
INFO: 7pm, Ugly Mug, 4640 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz. $30/adv, $40/door. 477-1341.
SUNDAY 4/20
OPERA
COFFEE CANTATA
There’s nothing new under the sun. While many Americans half-jokingly refer to their caffeine addictions, somebody’s done it first. In this case, most notably, it’s 18th-century German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, who, somewhere between 1732 and 1735, wrote Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht (Be still, stop chattering), also known as the Coffee Cantata. More of a mini comical opera than a cantata, the piece is about what else but the narrator’s addiction (re: dependence on) the rich, bold aromatic brew everyone knows and loves. And what better place to see the performance than in the chic Mariposa Coffee Bar with a tasty cafecito and a guava-cheese pastry? There’s a repeat performance the following week for those who already have 4/20 plans. MW
INFO: 7pm, Mariposa Coffee Bar, 1010 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $40. 316-3026.
WEDNESDAY 4/23
AUTHOR EVENT
LOVE LETTER TO A GARDEN
Artist, designer and Design Matters podcast host Debbie Millman digs into the philosophies of gardening through visual storytelling. Not everyone is good at gardening, but growing a garden isn’t about being good at it. It is about the journey, nourishment, love and development. Millman’s book A Love Letter to a Garden reflects on her experience making and growing a garden. The book is short and sweet, connecting the process of growing a garden to ideas and philosophies of relationships and self-development. It leaves the reader with a deeper appreciation for their relationships, growth, and—of course—gardening. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 7pm, Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 423-0900.
